Trillanes, the soldier who cried wolf

Senator Trillanes was a Navy officer who only  became relevant for his part in the Oakwood mutiny and the Manila Peninsula siege. He, together with his group, claimed to be fighting against corruption and for the rights of  soldiers. These events provided the opportunity for him to become part of the Senate. 

However, as a senator, what has he really accomplished for the Filipino people? What tangible achievements has he done to stop corruption in the government? What has he achieved to support his fellow soldiers?

His heart may have been on the right track when he was just starting but when he became a politician, it seems that he adopted the characteristics of traditional politicians as well: out of touch with the true needs of the people, full of empty promises during elections, ambitious, and prioritizes personal political needs or political allies’ needs instead of serving the Filipino people.

Last April 2016, nearly two weeks before the elections, Senator Trillanes raised the issue of President Duterte’s BPI account and alleged that it contains millions of pesos. One can only surmise the Senator’s purpose for “exposing” the accounts: Is it to prove that then presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte was just fooling the people with his “simple” image? Just because a man lives a simple life – as people who have seen the President’s lifestyle can vouch for – doesn’t mean that he should also be poor.

People admire him for his simple lifestyle. The way he interacts with the ordinary folk makes them really feel that he is one of them compared to other politicians who only claim to represent them. The timing of the “exposé” also made it suspect. It was clearly a politically motivated attack to prevent Duterte from winning the presidency especially with insinuations that the money in the bank accounts may have come from illegal activities or from corruption.

It is worth noting that after the election when Duterte had clearly won by a wide margin, Senator Trillanes acknowledged the will of the people and left the issue for the media to pursue, saying that he had already done  his part. If you ask me, if the senator is confident about the evidence that he holds or if he is sure about the allegations, why stop pursuing it? Could it be because the “part” he says he has accomplished is to try to prevent Duterte from winning the election by throwing unfounded accusations?

Now, the senator is reviving the issue of the bank accounts, and just as he did the first time, dares the President to prove him wrong. He disregards the simple fact that the burden of proof is on him, he being the one throwing accusations. With the renewed attack, is there more confidence on the truth behind the allegations, or is this just another politically motivated noise just like the first time? The senator seems to have forgotten that he was the one who abandoned the issue before. He is now reviving it without anything new. With his brave talk, his allegations remain just that; baseless accusations coated by strong words and appearance. The question we should be asking is this: If he used this issue before in an attempt to influence the result of the election, what reason could he have to revive the issue that he once abandoned? Is it to boost support for rallies against the President?

Aside from the issue of the bank accounts, Senator Trillanes has also involved the President in the Bureau of Immigration bribery scandal. But just like all his accusations against the President, there is no tangible proof to back up his claims. He also said that based on “information,” President Duterte wants him dead, but Mr. Senator, why would he want you dead when they can just simply watch you destroy your credibility and make a fool out of yourself in front of the cameras with all your unfounded allegations? At least present some credible proof to support your case so that it won’t look like you are simply being bitter that you were not chosen to be the President’s running mate.

Right now, you have already destroyed your reputation, if there was any to begin with. If you are contemplating another mutiny, Filipinos will see that you are not doing it for the sake of the people but just for your own agenda and those of your political allies. Do your job as a senator who should be serving the Filipino people and stop wasting public funds.