Senate adopts reso asking amnesty for 'mutineers'

The Senate on Wednesday adopted a resolution asking President Benigno Aquino III to grant amnesty to soldiers who were charged in connection with the failed uprisings against the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The Senate adopted Senate Resolution No. 217, which 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 2007 Manila Peninsula Hotel siege. Senate Majority Floor Leader Vicente Sotto III, who introduced the resolution, said Aquino should grant amnesty to the mutineers 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," he said. Sotto also had said that the soldiers merely carried out their "qualms" over the legality of the term of the Arroyo administration, against whom all of their actions were directed. Only opposition Senator Joker Arroyo abstained from voting, saying that he wanted the resolution to be worded more "properly." Under Article VII, Section 19 of 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 so-called Oakwood Mutiny and for taking part in the Manila Peninsula hotel siege. — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ, GMANews.TV