There’s a proposal in the Philippine Senate these days that Senator Antonio Trillanes IV be allowed to attend the Senate sessions through the power of the Internet. If the proposal will be ratified, Sen. Trillanes can “participate” in the sessions through video conferencing. If ever this will push through, the senator, who’s currently in the slammer (compulsory detention after his involvement in a recent coup attempt), will be the first Filipino elected official who will use this type of technology.
As expected, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago rejected the proposal. The other senators who have yet to let their stand known include Senators Joker Arroyo, Juan Ponce Enrile, Manny Villar, Richard Gordon, Panfilo Lacson, Manuel Lapid, Francis Pangilinan, and Mindanao’s very own, Juan Miguel Zubiri. Meanwhile, Senators Aquilino Pimentel, Jr., Edgardo Angara, Benigno Aquino III, Rodolfo Biazon, Alan Peter Cayetano, Jamby Madrigal, Pia Cayetano, Francis Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Gregorio Honasan II, Loren Legarda, Ramon Revilla Jr., Mar Roxas, and Trillanes himself have signed the resolution.
If we can recall, Senator Trillanes got roughly 12 million votes in the last election. I’m pretty sure those 12 million voting Filipinos (a lot of those come from Mindanao) would want to see Sonny Trillanes do his job. The very job they voted him for.
On the other hand, Sen. Miriam also had a point when she said, “To allow him (Trillanes) teleconference rights would be to reward those who have openly expressed contempt for the social order. In fact, if he wishes to be a hero, he should stand his ground and refuse to accept any and all privileges from the Senate, one of the principal institutions that his coup, if it had been successful, would have destroyed.”
Personally, I would want that Senate resolution be approved. At least for a couple of sessions. Give the man the chance to serve the people. Give the people who voted for him the chance to see how he fares. Now if he abuses that privilege, then by all means, freeze it. Because really, there are a lot more other people who need to be in the slammer – and unfortunately, some of them are sitting “public servants.”
What about you? What are your thoughts?
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Mindanaoan is a multi-awarded blogger, content creator, seasoned social media strategist and publicist with undeniably successful track record. 2012 International Visitor Leadership Program (for global leaders) alumnus and O visa grantee (for people with extraordinary skills and who have risen to the top of their field). Avid traveler and a proud relief operations volunteer. Regular resource person for social media, blogging and content creation. Available for work and travel – [email protected]