By Ronron
June 4, 2007
“So, I told you!”
Thus said Genuine Opposition senatorial candidate Antonio Trillanes IV before members of the Defense Press Corps who interviewed him at his detention cell Monday afternoon, a few days before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to proclaim winners of the May 14 senatorial race.
Trillanes was referring to his 11th standing in the ongoing canvassing of votes at the Comelec now sitting as National Board of Canvassers at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) as he had previously projected in an interview before the national voting.
“This is what I have been saying… Based on our own tabulation, because we have our own copies of the Election Returns and the Certificates of Canvass, it is safe to say that we will remain at number 11,” Trillanes said from the Philippine Marine Brig in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City where he is detained over charges of coup d’ etat for leading the foiled Oakwood Mutiny in 2003.
Trillanes, who was deemed resigned as a Navy Lt. Senior Grade upon his filing of his candidacy, said that had he not been cheated by approximately a million votes, he would even have landed at the eighth or ninth spot.
“Based on our own final tally, my lead over the 13th placer, (Juan Miguel) Zubiri (of Team Unity), will be about 400,000, while that over the 12th placer, (Aquilino “Koko”) Pimentel, is about 250,000,” the 35-year-old candidate said.
This count, he said, includes the CoC’s from Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Basilan, Sultan Kudarat and Surigao del Norte, which the Comelec have yet to tabulate as of Sunday.
Trillanes said that even if the votes from Maguindanao will not be counted, which is what he prefers since it was reportedly marred with massive cheating, he will remain victorious.
He said that should Zubiri or re-electionist Team Unity candidate Ralph Recto land in the Magic 12, “definitely” the result was manipulated because “it’s impossible.”
“The administration knows that because they have their own copies of the ER’s and the CoC’s. It’s as if they don’t know that. Maybe, (the reason why they are not yet conceding is), they are looking for some room to maneuver,” Trillanes said.
He warned that should he be dislodged from the Magic 12, “the people will know what to do,” referring to a possible “civil unrest,” similar to what happened during the People Power 1 Revolution, which, he said, was sparked by massive cheating during the 1985 snap elections.
Asked to interpret the surprising support he got from the people, which was not manifested in pre-election surveys, Trillanes said: “I believe it’s because the people want change. Maybe, they saw in me that I can offer change.”
He particularly thanked the members of the rank and file of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) who, according to his sources on the ground, voted for him despite what he claims as an order from the military leadership to do otherwise.
“Be assured that one of my priorities will remain the welfare of the AFP,” Trillanes said.
Asked to deliver a message to AFP chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., Trillanes said: “I don’t have any message for him. They got the message (from the rank and file of the AFP) loud and clear.”
He reiterated that his first agendum in the 14th Congress should he be finally proclaimed as Senator is to move for the impeachment of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo by convincing Congressmen and civil sectors.
“I can’t expect my legislative agenda to be approved by this executive branch. So we really have to get her out of the way. She’s blocking the path to progress,” Trillanes said.
He cited for example his anti-corruption agenda, which, he said, runs counter to the current “corrupt government.”
Trillanes said that should he win, he does not have to be at the Senate halls everyday. He said he will seek for Court approvals to leave detention only during important sessions at the Senate.
“I don’t have to physically get out of this place to serve. I can still be an effective Senator even if I am detained. I prefer to be here, detained with my companions,” he said.
Asked if he will accept the so-called “pork barrel,” Trillanes replied in the negative, saying it will only perpetuate corruption.
Trillanes is resigned to the fact that he may not be able to attend the proclamation of the Senatorial race winners expected later this week because of the time it will take to get a court clearance.
He also dismissed suggestions to file an advance motion in anticipation of a partial proclamation at the Comelec, saying it would be “presumptuous” on his part.
Trillanes said he has spent over P5 million for his campaign expenses, excluding the advertisements sponsored by Senator Jamby Madrigal and other supporters.
Trillanes is facing coup d’ etat charges before the Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 148, together with 28 officers and two former enlisted personnel, for attempting to stage a mutiny at the Oakwood Hotel in Makati City last July 27, 2003.
He is also charged for violating Articles of War 96 (conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman) before the General Court Martial over the same incident./DMS
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