Almost a week at Senate, Trillanes still in high spirits

MANILA, Philippines — On his sixth day as a “temporary resident” of the Senate and apart from the inconvenience of having to sleep on his couch, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV has adjusted well to his situation.

After learning that he was about to be arrested on the order of President Duterte, the opposition senator stayed in his office where he has been guaranteed protection from arrest.

His wife Arlene has been at his side since he decided to hole up in his office, with his children visiting him twice this week.

“Behind the camera, always in high spirits,” Trillanes told reporters outside his office.

According to Trillanes, he has been having a hard time sleeping, with his body longing for the comfort of his own home.

His office is just like most of the other offices of the senators on the fifth floor of the Senate building in Pasay City, with about 60 percent of the floor area dedicated to the work area of the staff.

For his private room, Trillanes has a small couch and a bathroom where he can freshen up and change into a new set of clothes brought to him by his wife.

The couch is a bit small for him but Trillanes said that if he puts up his feet, then it’s fine.

Supporters have been visiting him regularly throughout the day, bringing him messages of support and food.

The support groups consist of his extended family, the members of the Magdalo, friends from civil society, including officials from the Aquino administration.

Trillanes even joked that he has to come up with ways to exercise because of all the food that is being delivered to his office.

He said that his family is somehow used to this type of arrangement and fully understands what he is going through.

“The family is in high spirits as well. We’ve been through worse. I don’t want to subject them to this kind of experience but this is where fate has brought us and so we’re just praying for strength for everyone,” Trillanes said.

“Personally, the inconvenience that my family is experiencing is very unfortunate. As a father, I wouldn’t want them to be subjected to all of this. But they know their roles are critical,” he added.

His children are in college now so Trillanes said he does not have to explain his predicament.

He said that his son told him about how the mother of his girlfriend informed him that they were all praying for him and for his well being, and this has somehow also lifted his spirits.

Since the campaign for the 2016 elections, Trillanes has openly accused Duterte of being corrupt and a murderer during his term as mayor of Davao City.

When Duterte assumed the presidency, there was no let up in the attacks from Trillanes, who went on to implicate other members of the President’s family in various illegal activities.

The President has not bothered to hide his scorn for Trillanes and has even warned him before that he could end up being shot because of his braggadocio.

“My wife has been doing a great job insulating the kids from the political noise. We have a role to play. They understood that when I took up this task of being a public servant, public official, there are risks involved,” Trillanes said. 

“I believe in God’s will so I confront trials and challenges like this with full conviction, strength and courage because I know at the end of this, God will be there,” he added.