ANTONIO

They were all well-trained. They belonged to elite units of the armed forces. They were all armed to the teeth. And the scariest, or the best part of it all- they were all prepared to die. They occupied a hotel in the center of one of the Philippines’ busiest business districts and declared their intentions. They wanted change- most especially in the Armed Forces which they allege, is riddled with corruption. But whatever these mutineers’ best plans were, they went pffft.

Couldn’t these young, brilliant, idealistic mutineers have organized themselves into a sort of secret society within the armed forces with the primary purpose of assassinating every misfit in the government or outside of it? With the skills in killing which all of them have mastered, eliminating whoever they desired would be easily done, with the least of efforts. (With the suicidal attitude which all members of this group seem to collectively possess, getting caught would not be a worry.) And their hearts, apparently, do seem to be in the right place so the do-gooders should have nothing to worry about. Only those venal, the abusive, or the most opportunist people will be the ones who will be trembling at the prospect of being accorded the “Magdalo Solution.”:-)

Now, one of Magdalo’s leaders, Antonio Trillanes IV is seeking a place in the senate. He is not wanting in qualifications, there’s no doubt about that. His having been at the top levels of his class in the PMA should attest to his intelligence, so engaging in debates with anybody shouldn’t pose a threat to him. For sure, he would give a significant contribution to the discussions on the laws which will be deliberated upon on that senate’s floor. And compared to the clowns who regularly get elected, he should be able to give more meaning to what ‘august’ signifies when we refer to the senate’s august chambers. Having headed the Honor Committee of his class should have imparted on him the dignity, the integrity, the honor, and the values with which every gentleman should conduct himself. The only wish anybody could have on him is for him not to have lost his idealism- the very reason actually why they rebelled. The Magdalo said they feared being sucked by the system- that when their turn came to ‘man the helms’, they feared that they will lead the AFP ship astray- thus, their call for change. For all we know, though, Trillanes is just one good actor. Still, he has some solid qualifications firmly tucked under his belt which would make him worthy of risking those votes for.

If Lieutenant Senior Grade Antonio Fuentes Trillanes IV could bring his courage, integrity and loyalty to the Filipino people, to the Philippine Senate, the Oakwood Drama would have been a success, at least, in parts. It would have given us a budding statesman