Trillanes eyes 2nd term to make up for lost time

(Updated 2:30 p.m.) Saying he needs to make up for lost time, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV is keen on running for a second term in the Senate in 2013. Trillanes said his detention at a police facility in Camp Crame had kept him from taking part in the legislative process for the last three years. "We will have to revalidate that mandate, we will ask the people again if they want us to serve them as a senator," he said during a weekly forum at the Senate on Wednesday. "We have to offer ourselves again to the people, if they want us to serve them again. That is my intention for now," he also said in an interview aired on dwIZ. When asked if he plans to run for a higher position after his term ends in 2013, he said, "wala po (none)." He likewise said that he is not yet eyeing any party for the 2013 senatorial elections. "We plan to stay where we are right now…which is to be part of the majority... to support the legislative agenda of the admin and support other measures that would be beneficial for the majority of the people," he said. Trillanes' term as senator will end in 2013, after which he is eligible to run for a second six-year term. The Constitution allows two successive six-year terms for senators. He said that since he was elected in 2007, he has not been able to take part in plenary debates and committee hearings, although he managed to file bills from his detention facility. "I believe in the past three years, kahit nakakulong tayo, we we’re able to do some functions as a senators (even when we were detained)," he said during the forum. He said he was able to file more than 300 bills during his term, 19 of which he said were passed into law. "I believed we could have done more but at least we’re not entirely remiss of our duty as a senator," he said. He is also the chairman of the Senate civil service and government reorganization. Trillanes, who walked out of his detention cell after a Makati court granted Senate the power to take custody of him, expects to participate in sessions and debates when the chamber resumes session in January. Meanwhile, Trillanes said he is excited to make up for lost time. His schedule on Wednesday includes reporting to the Senate and visiting his office there for the first time. "Maraming hahabulin eh (I have much catching up to do)," he said when asked if he felt excited. Meanwhile, Trillanes said he is planning a simple Noche Buena (Christmas dinner) with his family. But he said he plans to take it slow in getting back to society, including enjoying malling with his family. "Dahan dahan muna. Naninibago tayo nang kaunti (I'll take things slowly. I'm still adjusting). Hopefully I'll be able to adjust in the next few weeks," he said. — with a report by Kimberly Jane Tan/LBG, GMANews.TV