Detained Marine colonel to seek Senate seat in 2010 polls

(Updated 11:30 a.m.) MANILA, Philippines - A decorated Marine officer detained in connection with the alleged coup attempt in February 2006 will seek a Senate seat in the 2010 elections, it was learned Monday. "Ariel has decided to run in 2010 if there will be an election. We need all the prayers and support from the Filipino people," said Ma. Flor Querubin in a text message to GMANews.TV. Ma. Flor is the wife of Col. Ariel Querubin, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1979. Ma. Flor said her husband will register as a voter in Bauang town in La Union province. "He will run as an independent but he is also open to being a guest candidate of any credible opposition party. This is so as not to compromise his stand on issues," Ma. Flor later said in a phone interview. A forwarded letter from Querubin confirmed the Marine officer's political intention. "With a lot of circumspection, I have decided to run for the senate in 2010. I have no political pedigree. I have no political machinery. I have no financial resources. But I do have honor. I do have principles. I do have courage," Querubin's letter read. "I believe I am ready to take on this new role, with your prayers and support this dream is not too far- fetched. It takes the collective effort of every member of this society to make things improve for a country in disarray... a country that has been plundered... a country whose hope is running dry," it added. Medal of Valor Querubin is one of two recipients of the Medal of Valor award being detained in connection with the February 2006 alleged coup attempt. The other is Lt. Col. Custodio Parcon, who is also from the Philippine Marines Corps. The Medal of Valor is the highest combat recognition given to the men in uniform. Earlier, detained Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim was also reported to be seeking an elective post in next year's elections. Lim, former commander of the Army's First Scout Ranger Regiment, has yet to confirm such reports. Lim is also under military trial in connection with the February 2006 alleged coup attempt. He is also facing rebellion charges in connection with the November 2007 stand-off at the Peninsula Manila hotel in Makati City. Querubin and Lim were among the founders of the Young Officers Union (YOU) that provided the "muscle" during the bloody December 1989 coup led by then colonel now Senator Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan of the Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa (RAM). In the 2007 polls, then Navy Lieutenant Senior Grade Antonio Trillanes IV sought and won a Senate seat despite being not allowed to campaign outside his detention cell. Trillanes is facing a military trial and coup d' etat charges before a local court in connection with the July 2003 Oakwood mutiny. Further, Trillanes is also facing rebellion charges in connection with the Makati standoff in November 2007. Under existing laws, an active officer is deemed resigned from his position once he files his certificate of candidacy. - GMANews.TV