President Aquino’s grant of amnesty to members of the military who stood up against Gloria Arroyo’s misuse and abuse of presidential powers is a fulfillment of his promise to reshape Philippine society back to its moral state which has been misshapen so badly by Gloria Arroyo for nine years that she was in power.
How the amnesty was carried out to where it is now- the processing of applications of those who want to avail of the amnesty- is instructive of how to navigate around the various forces not only of the competing allies of the administration but also of the political opposition.
Aquino was elected overwhelmingly on the promise of reforms and a discontinuation of Arroyo’s perversion of the justice system for her interest.
But many in the government bureaucracy, having internalized Arroyo’s practice of twisting the law to suit her interest, could not comprehend the message of reform in Aquino’s electoral victory.
From the very beginning, even during the presidential campaign, Aquino was clear about his stand that Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and other Magdalo officers did not commit coup d’etat as defined in the Revised Penal Code. He also said continued detention of Magdalo soldiers was an injustice.
Aquino knew that the reason the core leaders of Magdalo were charged with the non-bailable coup d’etat even that was not the appropriate charge was because Arroyo wanted to keep them in prison for life. She could not forgive Trillanes and the other Magdalo officers for their temerity to stand up to her.
Aquino realized his problem with the Department of Justice when Justice Secretary de Lima recommended that they just wait for the promulgation of by the Makati Regional Trial Court of the coup d’etat case. Not really surprising because the ones who prepared the recommendation were the very same people that Arroyo used to persecute the Magdalo officers.
That’s the reason why Malacañang decided not to involve the DOJ in the preparation of the amnesty proclamation. But in fairness to De Lima, she defended the proclamation during the congressional hearings.
Appreciative of the President’s support for them, the Magdalo on their part, worked on each and every member of Congress for their support (except the Arroyos, of course). When the President issued the first amnesty proclamation (No. 50 which was later on revised into Proclamation No, 75), 160 of the more than 200 congressmen and 16 of the 21 senators were signatories to the resolution for amnesty to the soldiers who rebelled against Arroyo.
But despite the lack of numbers, Arroyo’s allies made it difficult for the proclamation to pass. Representatives Edcel Lagman, Anthony Golez, Milagros Magsaysay were conscientious in grilling the officers and administration officials. They got a lot of help from the grandstanding Liberal Party member Rep. Rodolfo Biazon, who used the hearings to recall his role on the coups against President Cory Aquino.
Arroyo’s allies insisted on apology from the officers. The officers find this ridiculous and unacceptable. In the end a compromise agreement of an expression of guilt facilitated the concurrence of the House in a vote of 213- 7.
During the voting, Gloria Arroyo stepped out of the room.
There was also resistance from ranking officers of the military; many of them resented the daring of the young officers.
A source in the military overheard Brig. Gen. Gilberto Roa, Judge Advocate General and member of the amnesty committee say that he will make it difficult for the officers applying for amnesty because now they have the additional job of drafting the Implementing Rules and Regulations and process the applications.
Asked why he said that, Roa denied he ever said that. In a text message, he said, “I deny ever saying pahirapan ko sila and I’m aware I have no legal basis to do it as the mandate of the amnesty committee is more ministerial to process the application for amnesty.”
He said further,“ As of today (Tuesday) 23 officers and 35 enlisted personnel applied for amnesty to include Senator Trillanes. Ask them if there’s anyone na pinahirapan ko.”
Former Marine Captain Gary Alejano said Roa must have said that in jest because he has been very helpful to them in their application, making the process efficient.
Last Tuesday Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV applied for amnesty with the Department of National Defense Ad Hoc Amnesty committee established to process the grant of amnesty.Included in the application form is an admission of involvement in either of the three incidents:July 27, 2003 Oakwood Mutiny ,February 2006 Marines Stand-Off, and the
November 29, 2007 Peninsula Manila Hotel Incident .
They were to narrate facts of their involvement/participation in the incidents either of the three incidents they checked.
To the Magdalo officers those were not a problem because “my nangyari naman talaga.” What was a bitter pill to swallow for them was the part where they had to sign, “
I hereby acknowledge that my involvement/participation in the subject incident/s constituted a violation of the 1987 Constitution, criminal laws and the Articles of War. I hereby recant my previous statements that are contrary, if any, to this express admission of involvement/participation and guilt.”
Just to be able to move on, they signed. But as Trillanes said, “Let me be clear. We admit guilt as far as rising up against the most corrupt president this country ever had,” he said. “Proudly.”
After reading the article, can’t help but appreciate President Aquino’s efforts — he put his neck in the line for these officers. Well done, Mr President.
these soldiers didn’t have to do this…if only we had the courage to do our jobs…
…i pray that in the future there will be no need for a few to sacrifice their lives, careers, family – for the majority…that the majority should learn to stand up for themselves…
Thinking aloud: I don’t know the law. I thought amnesty is BEST a constitutional sole prerogative of a good President; BEST as a prerogative shared with good Congress for a bad President. None of the Supreme Court’s business if not brought to it for resolution.
I doubt that an injustice like a prolong incarceration (an unjust enforcement of the law) without decisions of quilt or innocence can be rectified. Justice denied in this manner is permanent injustice. In the concrete, who benefits from this amnesty? Who can tell of its consequence? Hopefully, more than anybody else, it is our society.
Why did Aquinos allies compromise with Arroyos lapdogs? They are overwhelmingly the majority. Oh well, its done. Sen Trillanes, start harrassing Arroyo pls. Give Arroyo and her lapdogs a dose of their own medicine.
“…What was a bitter pill to swallow for them was the part where they had to sign, “I hereby acknowledge that my involvement/participation in the subject incident/s constituted a violation of the 1987 Constitution, criminal laws and the Articles of War. I hereby recant my previous statements that are contrary, if any, to this express admission of involvement/participation and guilt.”
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A bitter pill indeed Ms Ellen, specially to people with principles. Yet there are things that just need to be done in order to be “able to move on”, as you said. Again I hope the senator will not forget the reasons why he signed that piece of paper.
For making yet another “sacrifice”, I hope that a lot of good things, for the country, will come out of such act.
Nakakatawa naman si putot..nag may I leave the room siya during the voting…I thought she would have more guts to stay..mayhiya din pala siya…
But in fairness to De Lima, she defended the proclamation during the congressional hearings.
wala na kasi syang mgagawa kundi sumunod sa presidente…
Malaki ang napuna ko sa pagsusulat ni Sen. Antonio Trillanes, isa pala siyang “left handed”. Marami ang magigiting, at nagiging pangulo ng mga bansa,kaliwa kung sumulat. Maging ma-ingat, mahinahon, mapag-matyag, at maging maka-Tao, at Bayan, bukod sa pagdarasal ng taimtim, Panahon ang naghihintay, kasama ng mga ipinakulong ni gma,sila naman ang magiging mga abalang “executives” sa Malacanang,in a very short number of years. Maybe, around
within 13-years.Baka sakali ito na ang panahong hinihintay
na tunay na pag-asa at pag-babago, na sinimulan din ni Pnoy
sa paraang, pag-bibigay sa kanila ng kalayaan at pag-kakataong mag-lingkod. Sa panahon ding iyan, wala na ang mga “orihinal” na coup d’etat plotters” na maka-sarili.Iwasan lang nila ang tukso ng “graft and Corruption”
na di ma-iwasan ng mga naka-raang admin. Laway-na-laway sila,sa ngalan ng pagkuha ng kayamanan ni Juan de la Cruz, at humantong sa maraming human rights violations.
Ikulong naman si Gloria! Ang daming naghirap sa kalupitan niya!
The oo/ hindi game: Yes we are guilty but then again we are not for some other sake.
This goes both ways from penoy’s and from the the Magdalos side. Question is what is sacrificed from the constitution’s side?
This is political expediency. It is seemingly a popular move from penoy’s side, the easier less resistant path. People are not going to allow him to do nothing about the so called Oakwood Mutiny. And, since the letter of the law favors Arroyo’s devious machinations(which continue to this day), something had to be done.
General Lim does not like certain requirements. Now there’s someone who really deserves tipping of the hat.
In any case, to the Magdalo group, welcome back the outside world. Yep, justice, seemingly simple but very difficult to understand.
I hope this business of Coups will be the things of the past and if it is attempted again and failed then we can only blame those involved for bringing their fate to themselves…for me, I can only say, those who were in involved in series of Military Coups and lucky to get away without facing the firing squads can count their blessings…let us put an end to these games and if one attempt it one more time, see to it that it will they also ready to put their lives on the line and go all the way…this is getting nowhere to the point of being ridiculous.
Isagani, Lim is not one of those charged with coup re Oakwood. He has no case before a civilian court.
He is only on trial in the military court re Feb. 2006 attempted withdrawal of support from Arroyo and the Marine stand off. There a good chance that he would be acquitted there given the tone that President Aquino has set with his amnesty proclamation. So it’s easy for him to say I will not apply for amnesty because he would not need it if he would be acquitted in the military court.
The case of the Magdalo is different.
Vic, re N°11:
With you there completely, Vic. There is nothing more ridiculous than going about doing these extra-military exercises dozens of times since Marcos was booted out of power only to be back to zero with deserving officers merely wasting away. Complete annery! And as you say, “if one attempt it one more time, see to it that it will they also ready to put their lives on the line and go all the way…”
(That said, the nation must be forewarned that if ever a coup d’état the military ever happens and if they succees, governance by the military could be their worst nightmare. The military in power will be the most undemocratic people.)
However, these coups, mutiny, stand-offs, and other forms of military “restiveness” can be put to an end once and for all if the people we elect abide by their sworn duty and moral obligation to do right by the nation, do their work cleanly and say no to corruption.
But for these elected officials to be able to perform to what’s expected of them, the nation needs to be up to it as well, in other words, they must participate to the full extent of their rights and to assume their duties completely too.
There cannot be slave masters if there are no people willing to be slaves.
(That said, the nation must be forewarned that if ever a coup d’état by the military ever happens and if they succeed, governance by the military could be their worst nightmare. The military in power will be the most undemocratic people.)
One thing I wish these young officers should put to rest is their reliance and dependence on Gringo Honassan.
The man is a joke. That person was an excecrable military officer. That he managed to inspire hundreds of young, idealistic officers speaks of how poorly leadership training in the military has become.
Leadership is not merely obliging a subaltern to obey and say “Yes, Sir!” or to command a battalion to march in lockstep… Leadership is the ability to inculcate not only physical courage in a team but also — and most importantly, moral courage to do what is just and right for the team.
Anna,
Yes, military rule could be the people worst nightmare, but in the other hand, it could also be their salvation…But it takes a different breed of Military men not just those that do it as some kind of protest and find themselves in the senate and the house and forgot what brought them there…to me the way it was done since, is pathetic…it either has to end and if the Military someday find that the Civilian rule is no longer for the interest and good of the nation and the population, then do it seriously.
Re: #12 Isagani, Lim is not one of those charged with coup re Oakwood. Ellen.
Ellen, I did not say he was. Please read my comment carefully.
However, these coups, mutiny, stand-offs, and other forms of military “restiveness” can be put to an end once and for all if the people we elect abide by their sworn duty and moral obligation to do right by the nation, do their work cleanly and say no to corruption.-Anna
Agree, agree. As long as there are blatant perversions of the electoral and justice systems, there would be uprisings , coups included.
However, these coups, mutiny, stand-offs, and other forms of military “restiveness” can be put to an end once and for all if the people we elect abide by their sworn duty and moral obligation to do right by the nation, do their work cleanly and say no to corruption.-Anna
Agree, agree. As long as there are blatant perversions of the electoral and justice systems, there would be uprisings , coups included. Ellen
Agree to Both of You…but I can only wish that if there is ever another coup, uprising, it will once and for all put an end to the blatant perversion of the Electoral and Justice system and will end injustice that the Nation been suffering for long. That it will be done with Finality or not at all.
Wag kalimutan mga kasalanan ni Gloria. Dami niyang inapi at ipinakulong. Kaya dapat, ikulong si Gloria!
— Vic
🙂
Kahanga hanga ang ipinakitang katapangan ni Trillanes kaya siya ay ibinoto talaga..nanalo kahit nakakulong..ngayong siya ay laya na ipagpatuloy sana niya ang kanyang layunin para sa bansa……..
Ellen, I just love the title of your post “The honor of rebelling against a corrupt government”.
And I love this quote from Trillanes:
“Let me be clear. We admit guilt as far as rising up against the most corrupt president this country ever had. Proudly.”
This is a classic.
As for those who insisted that these Magdalos first apologize, well.. they got their wish and it was shoved right up their noses in the above craftily, beautifully formulated classic statement.
Let just all cross our fingers that Senator Trillanes will be different kind of Rebel…a Rebel with a cause, not just in moment of passion but to carry with the flame in his heart…
Phil,
Kaso medyo kapalmuks yung tinutukoy…
hindi ba puedeng makiskisan ang mukha with Belo facial cream? maiba ako…kamusta na si tabbaboy? Nagbakasyon sa :Love is Many Splendored Thing? Hindi ba sa San Francisco nahuli si Garcia? doon din na sabit si Singson? kawawa naman si St. Francis…nadungisan ang pangalan niya! ang lakas talaga ni Luci sa mga ito….
Off topic:
Sa mga nagtu-tweet (gaya ni Ellen), the district court of Virginia has subpoenaed Twitter Inc. of the records of all data, including private messages, uploads, connections, activities, etc of Wikipedia boss Julian Assange and some supporters and employees in reference to the voluminous documents that has been leaked (and continues to be leaked to this day) that has exposed the dark side of US’ foreign policy over the web.
Facebook and Google are expected to receive similar subpoenas. Tsk tsk tsk. There goes internet privacy.
Sa ganito rin pala magtatapos ang internet…
#30. I hope twitter, facebook, google would resist and oppose this. This infringes on the freedom of the press which is a basic element of democracy.