SENATE CONSENSUS NEEDED ON
TRILLANES' RIGHT TO HOLD HEARINGS

Senator Mar Roxas called the attention of the Senate leadership yesterday on the formal complaint of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV regarding the decision of the Armed Forces of the Philippines not only to prevent the holding of Senate hearings at Fort Bonifacio, but also to bar his staff from consulting him about Senate matters.

"As this has a direct bearing on his functions as a member of the Senate, I support Senator Trillanes' appeal for an inquiry into this matter," Roxas said.

The Senator said it was important for the Senate to make a stand on Trillanes' right to hold hearings at Fort Bonifacio.

"I believe the time has come for us to reach a consensus on whether the Senate as an institution must now take proper action in defense of the senator's mandate," he said.

"After the May senatorial elections, no less than the spokesman of the AFP, Lt. Colonel Bartolome Bacarro said, 'The AFP will respect that mandate.' Unfortunately, eleven million Filipinos who elected Trillanes to the Senate remain frustrated by the military's refusal to allow him to fulfill his mandate even while under detention," Roxas added.

"I support the senator's plea and call on the Senate as an institution to come to his aid," Roxas said.