MANILA -- Although it still has to iron out some details, the Senate Committee on Peace, Unification, and Reconciliation on Monday approved a presidential grant of amnesty to around 300 Magdalo soldiers.

Senator Teofisto Guingona III said he still has to see a list of the soldiers who will be granted amnesty. But he expects the Senate to vote on the amnesty proclamation when it comes back from recess on November 8.

He said the Magdalo soldiers, including Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, have been under detention for years and that it is about time to let them rejoin society.

Former Marine general Danilo Lim said he was "truly grateful" for the amnesty, adding that the Magdalo will “always take pride in what we did to fight oppression”.

Former Marine colonel Ariel Querubin, for his part, said he is now ready to move on.

The Senate meantime has yet to approve Proclamation 50, which President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III signed last week giving amnesty to the rebel soldiers. This however may face opposition on the Senate floor.

Senator Joker Arroyo has been vocal in criticizing the amnesty because it could encourage more military adventurism in the future. (Jonathan de Santos/Sunnex)