House concurs with Aquino's amnesty grant

(Updated 7:02 p.m.) Voting 213-7 with two abstentions, the House of Representatives on Monday concurred with President Benigno Aquino III’s Proclamation 75 granting amnesty to soldiers and policemen linked to attempts to overthrow the Arroyo administration. Those who were not in favor of the amnesty grant were ANAD Rep. Pastor Alcover Jr, Agusan del Norte Rep. Jose Aquino II, Arroyo's son Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado 'Dato' Arroyo, Arroyo's brother-in-law Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio Arroyo Jr., Davao del Sur Rep. Marc Douglas Cagas IV, Siquijor Rep. Orlando Fua, and Lanao del Norte Rep. Imelda Dimaporo. Lanao del Sur Rep. Hussein Pangandaman and Bukidnon Rep. Jose Ma. Zubiri III abstained from voting. But despite voting in favor of the resolution, some lawmakers insisted that the grant of amnesty should not come without remorse on the part of the beneficiary. “In order not to embolden future adventurism in attempting to illegally seize political power under the pretense of addressing grievances against the government, affording amnesty must be sparing," House minority leader Edcel Lagman said in explaining his vote. Zambales Rep. Ma Milagros Magsaysay said she had reservations in voting in favor of the resolution, but added that she voted for it for the sake of peace and reconciliation. “By voting for the resolution, it does not mean I condone the acts they did nor give them license to do it again. They have to apply for the amnesty, admit their guilt as far as their participation on the incident," she said. Nueva Ecija Rep. Rodolfo Antonino expressed hope that the members of the Armed Forces will now fully realize the meaning of the clause “to protect the people." “They should remember that the military is under the civilian authority," he said. The Senate concurred with Proclamation 75 Tuesday last week, but the House failed to do so due to lack of quorum. The proclamation will only be effective upon concurrence by both houses of Congress. Last week, in a press statement, Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, whose nine-year presidency was rocked by several coup attempts, warned against the inclusion of recidivists and unrepentant offenders in the amnesty grant. Among those who stand to benefit from the amnesty grant is Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, a former Navy official who is facing coup d’etat charges before the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) branch 148 and rebellion charges before the Makati RTC branch 150. Some 300 other suspected mutineers are also expected to benefit from the amnesty grant. Covered by the amnesty proclamation were those who participated in:

Oakwood mutiny — occurred on July 27, 2003 when 321 armed soldiers, who called themselves "Bagong Katipuneros" (New Katipuneros) took over the Oakwood Premier Ayala Center (now Ascott Makati) serviced apartment tower in Makati City. Led by Army Capt. Gerardo Gambala and then Lt. Senior Grade and now Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, the mutineers protested against the alleged corruption of the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration;

Manila Peninsula incident — On November 29, 2007, Trillanes, Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, Capt. Nicanor Faeldon and other Magdalo officials walked out of their trial and marched through the streets of Makati City, calling for the ouster of Arroyo. They then headed to The Peninsula Manila Hotel along Ayala Avenue in Makati City and seized its second floor;

February 2006 Marine stand-off — The Philippines was placed under a state of emergency on February 24, 2006 after the government foiled an alleged coup d'état attempt; Arroyo lifted the state of emergency on March 3, 2006. - KBK, GMANews.TV