An arguably popular decision by President Aquino was made public today. The president granted amnesty to rebel Senator Trillianes, and to other soldiers involved in Oakwood Mutiny, Marine Standoff, and Manila Peninsula Siege. After the concurrence of the majority of all members of congress, the rebel soldiers can now “rebuild their lives and contribute to rebuilding this nation.”
We can remember that at the same time during the selection of the Senate President, President Aquino ordered DOJ Sec Delima to review the coup d'etat charge against Trillanes. According to the President, “there was injustice there.” That comment made by PNoy sparked some debates and controversy and was criticised for meddling in a judicial matter. Others even speculated that the undercurrent purpose of the review was to eventually free the rebel Senator to add up to the allies of the Aquino administration in the Senate. We can remember that at the height of the Senate President selection, requests to allow Trillianes to vote was made, speculatively to ensure the victor of the Liberal Party bet in the race for the senate presidency. However, the request was not granted and Senator Enrile continued his reign.
In a press conference today, Malacanang justified the amnesty as part of the reconciliation efforts of the Aquino government.
Besides Trillianes, another popular beneficiary of the reconciliation effort of the current administration was Gen. Danny Lim. If Trillianes is perceived to be an ally of the Aquino government, Gen. Lim is in fact a senatorial candidate last May under PNoy’s political party.
All the while, I thought reconciliation is offered only to enemies so parties could settle their differences. Apparently, reconciliation can also be given to friends to strengthen alliances. At this point in time, I still don’t want to claim that this reconciliation effort of the Aquino administration is a tool for political patronage. Let’s wait and see.
On the other hand, I humbly claim that the amnesty was given in bad timing. First, I am of the opinion that the President should have waited for the court to decide on the case before granting anything. If the court decides that Trillianes is innocent then an amnesty won’t be necessary. The problem with amnesty is there is no need for distinct acts of acceptance on the part of Trillianes etc. Because unlike pardon, amnesty does not require admission of guilt and instead erases the crime itself without admitting any wrong doing. Therefore, the amnesty granted by President Aquino is an injustice both to Senator Trillianes and his men but even severely so to the State. Specifically because of bad timing, the amnesty granted by PNoy seems to uphold injustice.
Second, our country is still in the aftermath of the Aug. 23 Manila Hostage crisis. Like Mendoza, Trillianes is also a hostage taker. Mendoza hostaged a bus, Trillianes took over two hotels on two different occasions. Trillianes is a two time hostage taker. But their most apparent difference is the way they were handled by two different administrations. Operations against Mendoza were botched not to mention caused a severe embarrassment to the entire nation while Trillianes was took down successfully and without any casualty, twice. I believe that granting amnesty to a rebel/hostage taker in the midst of the Manila Hostage Crisis aftermath sends a signal that the current administration doesn’t really take hostage takers seriously. Specifically because of bad timing, the amnesty granted by PNoy seems to consent atrocity.
If we will remember, Gen. Bangit resigned as AFP Chief of Staff because of PNoy’s public disapproval of his appointment. This prompted to some reports that some factions in the military were displeased with Aquino. This brings me to my third point. If I am a military man with a displeasure to the current government, then I will be encourage by the amnesty to venture into military adventurism and plot coup’d etat against the government. After all, if my efforts became unsuccessful all I have to do is wait for a change of leadership for an amnesty grant. Specifically because of bad timing, the amnesty granted by PNoy seems to tolerate military adventurism.
Though I believe that the President has all the legal rights and the sole prerogative to grant such an amnesty, it is my humble opinion that he should have waited for the right, the good and the unsuspicious time to do so.
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