Trillanes got assigned
sans vetting

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV reportedly was given by President Benigno Aquino III his assignment as back channel negotiator without even a background checking of who had recommended him.

But the fact that he had claimed that it was the Chinese who had given his name as their preferred choice for a backroom negotiator must certainly have alerted the President to conduct a background check on who were the Chinese officials who preferred Trillanes.

Other than that violation of the standard national security regulation, the President had not equipped Trillanes with the presentation of his role as backroom negotiator.

In short, the question is why was he given blanket authority by the President to negotiate anything subject only to final approval by the Chief Executive as head of state?

Worse, Trillanes, based on the Brady report, even went to the extent of discrediting DFA Secretary Albert Del Rosario’s move to internationalize the South China (West Philippine Sea) problem. He also allegedly called Del Rosario a traitor.

In short, he virtually went against the President and acted as the presidential spokesman. In short, this is a matter that calls for President Aquino to either defend Del Rosario or not to authorize whatever Trillanes may have declared to his Chinese counterparts.

The problem is that Noynoy Aquino later upheld Trillanes’ offer to mediate the tense situation at Scarborough Shoal. But apparently he had gone beyond the issue.

In short, he acted like he was the DFA Secretary and arrogated to himself pronouncements which were those reportedly confined to the President, himself.

But he, as reported, had gone 16 times to China to undertake the back channel talks. This, I believe, must have exceeded the limited authority that the President must have given him.

In short, he became ambassador Plenipotentiary thus he became the de fact secretary of Foreign Affairs.

Now, this is something which only P-Noy, himself, can clarify.

In short he was a loose cannon ball. And the President this early must be able to rein himself in or face possible loss of face. We do not know what exactly were the things that Trillanes had shared with his Chinese backers.

***

Today, we can expect the counter from Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. to the claim of former Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco that it was Marañon’s assurance that he was not running for reelection that had prompted him to back up Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez as his choice for governor.

Although I suspect that many of the mayors of the province may have a change of heart, still I believe that most of those who had originally made a vow that Marañon was their choice would hold on to their pledge of loyalty.

Undoubtedly, many will be mesmerized by the vision of sufficient logistics for the election of 2013. But I am sure that many local executives are still morally conscious and will comply with their commitment to support the governor.

Besides, as had already been proven in previous elections, Marañon had often been underestimated. But to the surprise of most of his opponents, he had a magic surprise.

And, as they say, the battle is not over until the counting is over and done with. It is not the first impression that counts. Ultimately it is the perception by the average voter that counts in the elections.

So, don’t pin your hopes on one side or the other until you can be sure of what the public thinks about what is happening in the province today.*

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