‘Marines don’t back out of a fight, Binay must return uniform’

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said on Tuesday, November 11, that Vice President Jejomar has besmirched the reputation of the Philippines Marines when he withdrew from a scheduled debate with the senator. 

Binay, a reserve Marine Colonel, celebrated his 72nd birthday with the Marines on Tuesday. After a morning jog and a boodle fight, he had a media interview were he casually announced – in response to questions – his decision to back out of the debate.

Trillanes said because of this act, Binay no longer deserves to wear the military uniform.

“Nakakahiya na doon pa niya ginawa sa headquarters ng Marines (ang announcement). Kasi ang mga Marines hindi umaatras e. So dapat e bawiin ng Marines ang uniporme niya (It is embarrassing that he made the announcement at the Marines headquarters. The Marines never back out [of a fight]. I think the Marines should take the uniform back),” Trillanes said.

Trillanes is a former naval officer himself. He had the rank of Lieutenant Senior Grade when he, among others, led the 2003 Oakwood mutiny. He became famous for fighting President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo even when he was in detention, and was later elected senator.

The Marines is the infantry branch of the Philippine Navy known for its “do-or-die” attitude in combat. The Marines are also the ones deployed to protect the country’s claims in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

‘No word of honor’

Trillanes said Binay’s decision to back out was not exactly a surprise, and was consistent with his previous pronouncements.

“In a way, we expected this. In the past, we saw that he doesn’t have one word. We cannot trust him. I hope Filipinos see what he really is,” said Trillanes.

He added, “It shows lack of character, untrustworthiness of the Vice President, and the lack of any intention to face the people regarding the allegations brought up against him.”

At a Senate inquiry into the alleged overpriced Makati City Hall Building 2, former allies have made various corruption allegations against Binay and members of his family, ranging from overpriced cakes for Makati senior birthday celebrants, to kickbacks from rigged contracts and using “dummies” for businesses and real estate properties.

Trillanes said he will continue preparing for the debate because Binay just might change his mind again and decide to face him.

“Malay mo, kakasuot niya ng Marine fatigue uniform  e madampian siya ng konting katapangan, magkakaharap kami din in the future (Who knows, by constantly wearing the Marine fatigue uniform, he might imbibe some courage and we can face off in the future),” he said.

Trillanes claimed he is the underdog in the planned debate with Binay, who is a lawyer. But he said he could not imagine losing to Binay because he has enough evidence against him. 

“Natatakot siya sa katotohonan. ‘Yun lang ang hawak do ito sa debateng ito. Mahirap tibagin ‘yun. Kahit anong galing mo mag-argumento, kung ang kalaban mo hawak ang katotohanan, wala kang laban,” he said.

(He is afraid of the truth. That’s [the truth is] my only weapon in this debate. It’s hard to fight that. No matter how good a lawyer he is, if you’re up against the truth, he won’t win.) 

Trillanes also vowed the continuation of the Senate probe into the alleged overpriced infrastructure projects in Makati City, where the Vice President’s former allies had exposed various corruption allegations against Binay and his family.  – Rappler.com