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'Namamahay': Trillanes bares life in Senate sanctuary

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Katrina Domingo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="media-content"><div class="slider-for"><div><img data-lazy="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/09/07/1-trillanes-office-gc.jpg?ext=.jpg"/></div><div><img data-lazy="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/09/07/2-trillanes-office-gc.jpg?ext=.jpg"/></div><div><img data-lazy="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/09/07/3-trillanes-office-gc.jpg?ext=.jpg"/></div><div><img data-lazy="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/09/07/4-trillanes-office-gc.jpg?ext=.jpg"/></div></div><div class="media-content slider-desc"><div class="item-desc"><p>Senator Antonio Trillanes IV inside his office at the senate on Friday, September 07, 2018. <cite>George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Senator Antonio Trillanes IV inside his office at the senate on Friday, September 07, 2018. <cite>George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Senator Antonio Trillanes IV inside his office at the senate on Friday, September 07, 2018. <cite>George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Senator Antonio Trillanes IV inside his office at the senate on Friday, September 07, 2018. <cite>George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div></div></div><p>MANILA - Boxes of bottled water and food packs have been going in and out of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV&#x27;s Senate office in Pasay City since Tuesday after the soldier-turned-lawmaker holed up in his workplace to avoid &quot;illegal arrest.&quot;</p><p>Room 519 that Trillanes occupies on the Senate building’s fifth floor was divided into two: his staff’s cubicles and desks occupy the outer area, while an inner, dimly-lit chamber has served as the senator’s makeshift quarters.</p><p>The former mutineer has sought refuge in his office after the publication of President Rodrigo Duterte&#x27;s Proclamation 572 that voided an amnesty.</p><p>The order directed soldiers and police to arrest the former Navy lieutenant for rebellion charges that were supposedly absolved by the 2011 amnesty.</p><p>“Dito ako natutulog,” Trillanes told reporters while sitting on a black leather couch.</p><p>“Hindi ka lang makakagulong pero pag tinaas mo paa mo, puwede na,” he said.</p><p>With heavy floor-to-ceiling curtains, a couple of large wooden desks, and lamps, Trillanes’ office has the same size and feel of a standard hotel room. But the senator says it’s far from luxurious living.</p><p>&quot;Sa ngayon parang namamahay pa,&quot; Trillanes said.</p><p>“Kailangan may electric fan dito kasi kapag hapon na, pinapatay na yung aircon sa buong building,” he said.</p><p>Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, usually composed of rice and Filipino viands like Menudo and Adobo, are delivered to Trillanes’ office for him, his staff, and some close supporters.</p><p>Sometimes, some of Trillanes&#x27; supporters send snacks for his staff, and the media who have camped outside his office, along the Senate&#x27;s corridors.</p><p>“Okay naman. Madaming nagpapadala ng pagkain kaya kailangan ko din bantayan exercise at baka lumobo tayo dito,” he said in jest.</p><p>On Trillanes’ main desk are his 2 cellphones, his trusty tablet equipped with movies, and manila envelopes which he said contains the documentary evidence that will prove that he legally applied for amnesty and he has been a civilian since 2007.</p><p>&quot;Some of the documents were given to me by friends in the Army who are conflicted over my pending “illegal arrest,” the senator said.</p><p>A Philippine flag stands behind Trillanes’ chair, and beside it is a side table adorned with framed pictures of his wife Arlene and their 2 children.</p><p>He said his wife visits nearly everyday, while their children come on days when they have no classes.</p><p>&quot;Ayaw naman natin ma-expose at madamay sila dito but talagang doon dinadala so kailangan magpalakas,&quot; Trillanes said.</p><p>&quot;We&#x27;ve had worst experiences before that in a way prepared them for this thing,&quot; he said.</p><p>Beside the photos is a speaker and an iPod with random playlists which Trillanes said helps him relax at night.</p><p>The former Navy lieutenant said he only has 4 hours of sleep here each night. </p><p>&quot;We have to be vigilant, we have to be prepared for any eventuality,&quot; Trillanes said.</p><p>“Adrenaline will keep you awake,” he said.</p><p>He starts his day at around 7:30 a.m. to tend to legislative work, plan with his legal advisers, attend press conferences, and meet visitors and supporters.</p><p>Vice President Leni Robredo, who leads the opposition, was <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/06/18/robredo-duterte-order-voiding-trillanes-amnesty-clear-harassment">among Trillanes’ notable visitors</a>. Robredo arrived at the Senate Thursday to express support for the embattled lawmaker and slammed the Duterte administration over the “clear harassment.”</p><p>“Robredo’s visit is morale-boosting on our part. They are doing so much by articulating yung illegality at unconstitutionality ng issue,” he said.</p><p>Trillanes said his &quot;sanctuary&quot; may not feel like home, but said that it was comfortable for someone who experienced life in jail for 7 years due to failed uprisings against former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2003 and 2007.</p><p>“Dati naman kaming sundalo so madali kami maka-adjust,” Trillanes said.</p><p>&quot;I couldn&#x27;t complain. Mas marami pa tayong kababayan na nahihirapan,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>The former mutineer has sought refuge in his office after the publication of President Rodrigo Duterte's Proclamation 572 that voided an amnesty.</p>

The former mutineer has sought refuge in his office after the publication of President Rodrigo Duterte's Proclamation 572 that voided an amnesty.

'Namamahay': Trillanes bares life in Senate sanctuary

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'Namamahay': Trillanes bares life in Senate sanctuary

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 07, 2018 03:26 PM PHT

Read More:

Antonio Trillanes IV

Trillanes amnesty

Senate

Rodrigo Duterte

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