Trillanes twits rivals

BUSTOS, Bulacan—Sen. Antonio Trillanes criticized his five rivals in the vice presidential race on Wednesday, saying he would do more for the country than just smile.

Trillanes is running against fellow Senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Alan Peter Cayetano, Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo.

Trillanes said in Filipino: “Let us review what they have done. Did they continue to stand for truth? Did they correct what was wrong? They are government veterans. What have they done for you? If they have not, why should we trust that they would help you in the future?”

Admitting he was trailing behind his rivals in the latest poll surveys, Trillanes asked the Magdalo chapter members from this town, San Rafael and Norzagaray to support his candidacy.

“[When I first ran for the Senate], we succeeded despite a huge disadvantage [in the polls] because you fought for the interest of the public,” he said.

“I was incarcerated. I had no money. I could not post campaign advertisements. We won by word of mouth. Our strongest point was our grassroots network,” Trillanes said.

He said the Magdalo party-list has 600,000 volunteers.

Rogelip Celis, 54, a Magdalo member from Norzagaray town, said their group’s primary task was to curb corruption in the country.

Should he win as Vice President, Trillanes said he would like to head the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). As DILG secretary, he said he would be able  to “hold the bull by the horns” by introducing reforms that would curb corruption and end illegal drug trafficking.

Joining senatorial candidate Panfilo Lacson here, Trillanes also criticized presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte for boasting he could end illegal drug trafficking in three to six months.

“If that was the strategy Duterte used against illegal drugs in Davao City, I fear what he would do if he would try it throughout the country. You can’t just kill anyone you suspect of dealing in illegal drugs,” Trillanes said.  Carmela Reyes-Estrope, Inquirer Central Luzon