17 senators want amnesty for 'mutineers'

At least 17 senators have signed a resolution asking President Benigno Aquino III to grant amnesty to soldiers who were charged in connection with the failed mutinies against former President now incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Senate Resolution No. 217, which was introduced by Senate Majority Floor Leader Vicente Sotto III, aims to persuade Aquino to grant amnesty to active and former military officers and enlisted men who were implicated in the 2003 Oakwood mutiny, the February 2006 coup and the subsequent Marine standoff, and the 2007 Manila Peninsula Hotel siege. Among those who signed the resolution were Sotto, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senators Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, Lito Lapid, Edgardo Angara, Alan Peter Cayetano, Loren Legarda, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Gregorio Honasan II, Sergio Osmena III, Manuel Villar, Ramon Revilla Jr., Miguel Zubiri, Franklin Drilon, Ralph Recto, Teofisto Guingona III and Francis Escudero. In the resolution, the senators appealed for a "favorable consideration" to grant reprieve to the soldiers for the "attainment of national harmony and reconciliation." "The national leadership has expressed its desire and willingness to offer the hand of peace and reconciliation to the so-called leftist elements of our society. We feel that the so-called ‘rightist’ elements, including the soldiery, should also be extended the same," said Sotto. He likewise said that the soldiers merely "carried into action in the public space" their qualms over the legality of the term of the Arroyo administration. He added that their actions were only directed at the previous regime. "They are not isolated from the restlessness of the people seeking good governance in their public officialdom, and sometimes manifest their principles and philosophies out of a good-faith evaluation of what is best for Philippine society," Sotto said. Under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the power to grant amnesty lies with the Office of the President, with the concurrence of a majority of all the members of Congress. If the amnesty is granted, one of those who stand to benefit is Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who was first jailed for his participation in the Oakwood Mutiny and for taking part in the Manila Peninsula hotel siege. Trillanes won a Senate seat in the 2007 polls. The resolution, however, has yet to be formally adopted by the Senate. — RSJ, GMANews.TV