Do you think it is fair to have senators that are prisoners?

Gringo Honasan's successful senatorial run in the 90's marked the end of a season of recurrent coup. Similarly far from being an endorsement of future mutinies, the astounding achievement of Trillanes in 2007 senatorial elections represents the functional absorption of the virus of military rebellion into the political system. We may call it the "wisdom" of the system. The system makes it difficult for an aroused public from supporting a mutiny or from getting rid of an illegitimate president by means of another costly and uncertain extra-constitutional maneuver. But it then lets out the accumulated energy through a controlled electoral process, that, in spite ot its vicious weakness, preserves the system. The more than 11 million vote for Trillanes showed that the 2003 mutiny was justified. The Comelec has no power of not allowing any filipino citizen to run in public office as long as he/she meets the requirements just like in the case of Jalosjos. The people have spoken and let's respect that!

I'm taking up Political Governance as one of my courses this term so it is a very relevant topic for me. The minimum requirements to be a senator is being a natural-born Filipino citizen, being at least 35 (I think) years of age, residing in the country for 5 or more years and having the ability to read and write. Having said this, Trillanes and Honasan have every right to join the elections. If the COMELEC does not allow them to join the race, it would be unconstitutional of them to do so. However, this does not mean that I am happy with the outcome of the elections. We want trustworthy men in our Senate and being prisoners does not help their cause much. Trillanes is an officer of Armed Forces of the Philippines whose main objective is to protect those who are within Philippine territory. But he staged a mutiny that endangered those in Oakwood that day. Honasan was also arrested because of this incident and he ran from it, instead of facing it. We do not need cowardly leaders. If he had no part in the mutiny, then he should have faced the courts, knowing that he did not do anything.

One of the smartest way to get elected in the Philippines' national positions to have a "marketable good-looking face" and then a coup d' etat. We had already proven that in Gringo Honasan and now in Trillanes. Well, I respect those people who voted for them (I am not one of them) but if we think that we could be a better nation by electing these former military men, I leave that to history to judge. Anyway, this is democracy in action. We either win or fail in democracy. Goodluck to the Philippines -- my one and only native land which I love dearly. Right now, by the way, I am preparing a coup d' etat.

actually, they are still innocent. you are referring to trillanes. a case has been filed against them. but they have yet to face trial. i think it's fair. however, the question is, how will they handle their duties as a public official? congressman jalosjos had meetings with his staff in his cell. prisoners can be senators, of course. but it makes things quite complex. the thing that should be taken into consideration is their platform. what are they gonna do as senators? i actually laughed at his (trillanes') platform. investigate killings in the AFP. funny. senator santiago couldn't have put it any better. she was right, in saying that if he wants to investigate, he'll be better off joining NBI. actually, i'm intrigued. why do you think that they should not be permitted to run for public office? please do reply. it's really nice having intellectual conversations.

I dont think that prisoners should be allowed to get in to the elections.

The law says that that their cases won't be dropped if they win.. They will only be released after they are acquitted.. If they are found guilty, they are stripped from public office and sentenced (Jalosjos Case) The law says they can run as long as they have not been proven guilty yet... So technically, they are innocent until proven guilty.. I think, the point was to prevent people from filing baseless cases against candidates so that they can run. I agree with you though in the case of this two prisoner-putchist... But like they say, it was the people's call... Let's just brace ourselves for more Senate Grandstanding..... The primary job of a Senator is to enact and pass laws and the first thing one of this senator-elects declares is Impeachment.... I don't know if it's just me but I'm sick of tired of it already... Or maybe it really is just me..... Sorry for dragging, edy scratty...

Well, I did not know that they would let felonies run for government offices. This is a new one to me. I wouldn't vote for them at all.

There is a law that allows prisoners to run for election or public office and there are provisions that are to be followed and I think that one of them is that if they win, they are to be released. The voice of the people should be followed and considering that it is a clear win, they should be released if the law so provides. The law should be reviewed and enforced fairly and justly and not to be circumvented by the people in the administration who do not like any opposition to assume their offices. The people in the administration should be humble enough to accept defeat, at least in the elections.

We just have to respect the millions of votes he got all over the nation. Though I never voted for him (I dislike military rebels/coup plotters), it does not matter to me if he is already a Senator of the Republic of the Philippines.

I think he have some guts to become a senator. Are you referring Senator Trillanes? Especially in case of Trillanes almost 11 million vote and support him. I wish the court need to release him in prison to do what senator trillanes obligation to our country.

I'm sure you refer Trillanes. As fas as I know it's the Comelec who will decide to let him out from jail so he can join the sessions in the Senate coz if not why did they accept Trillanes candidacy if he's not going to report to the senate everyday. And there's no reason for him to be detained for long. He is a smart guy.

we are in democratic country, its our privilige to run for any position during election. comelec cant do anything about it. its a rule. i think its for the decision of our country men. if th0ye voted a prisoners meaning they have faith and they believe with that person. and beside those people fight for pour country, thats why they are in jail.

Trillanes (sorry but i will not call his courtesy title of being a senator) thinks only of JUSTICE in the Philippines. He only cares the unfair, untruth, unequal distribution of applicable laws existing in our country. A good senator to be does not limit his principles on this issue.. He must generally look forward of the progress of the country. He doesn't care of the strong value of our monetary aspect( Peso nows value at $45 roughly..) Investments surges high.. these are just few of the marks that our economy is getting stronger. Now comes Trillanes, who doesnt know the good sides of the Arroyo administration. He even not consider it as "PROGRESS" as I watched his interview with a certain TV reporter. What PROGRESS will he do in the senate?