MANILA, Philippines (PNA) – With Senator Antonio Trillanes IV expected to join the Senate session starting next month, Senator Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan said he is pushing for remedial legislation "to correct the military justice system which has been abused" during the time of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. ”We will look at a possible legislation to correct this,” Honasan said, referring to the practice where the appointing authority for the court marshal is the chief of staff, in addition to being the reviewing authority and the approving authority.
”That is at best anomalous. How can anybody act as the appointing authority, the reviewing authority, the approving authority and sometimes witness also?” Honasan asked
Honasan said this kind of practice and other anomalies in the military would continue to encourage military adventurism if not corrected by the lawmakers.
”We will initiate this remedial legislation. We have the information on that already. Probably, we will tackle this when the Senate resumes sessions (on January 17),” Honasan said.
Honasan personally welcomed Trillanes in the Senate as they met on Wednesday, three days after Trillanes had been granted provisional liberty upon the request of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.
”I’m excited to work with him,” Honasan said, referring to Trillanes who was jailed for seven years for spearheading the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny in Makati City.
Honasan, a former military colonel who led failed coup attempts during the time of former President Corazon Aquino, said it is important to clear the military of graft and corruption to avoid future military uprisings.
Manila Bulletin
