Antonio Trillanes IV, 50, is a retired Philippine Navy lieutenant and politician, who rose to national attention during the 2003 Oakwood mutiny and the 2007 Manila Peninsula siege, both in opposition to the Arroyo administration.
Trillanes was arrested in July 2003 and detained until December 2010, but successfully ran for the Senate in 2007. He was granted amnesty by President Benigno Aquino III in October 2010 and released. He won re-election in 2013 but lost a vice-presidential bid in 2016.
During his vice-presidential campaign and the remaining period of his second term in the Senate, Trillanes launched several inquiries into alleged corrupt activities involving key public figures including President Rodrigo Duterte and his family. He also released anti-Duterte campaign ads, establishing himself as a key rival and critic of the president.
In what Trillanes considers a retaliatory move, Duterte declared his amnesty void. The Department of National Defense claimed that Trillanes’ amnesty application documents were lost, leading to Trillanes’s arrest for the 2007 rebellion charge and temporary residence in the Senate premises for protection. Two divisions of the Court of Appeals ultimately reversed the re-opening of the rebellion and coup d’etat cases against Trillanes, rejecting what it called the Duterte administration's "mental calisthenics" and "Janus-faced position."
From 2007 to 2019, Trillanes worked to pass at least 17 laws including the Magna Carta for the Poor, the Archipelagic Bases Law of 2009 and the law requiring the release of retirement pay and benefits of retiring government employees. He was also active in other Senate investigations, leading to confrontations with various officials and libel and inciting to sedition suits being filed against Trillanes for his remarks against the subjects of the Senate probes.
In 2019, Trillanes was accused of participating in a destabilization plot against President Duterte, following the release of a series of viral videos implicating the Duterte family and their allies in the illegal drug trade. Initially, charges of inciting to sedition, cyber libel, libel and obstruction of justice have been filed against Trillanes and 36 others. Trillanes was then also charged with conspiracy to commit sedition along with nine others.
Trillanes contemplated a 2022 presidential run but eventually joined the 1Sambayan senatorial slate to make way for Vice President Leni Robredo who is seeking the presidency as an independent candidate. He is campaigning on an improved pandemic response, economic recovery, alleviating poverty, security sector reforms and a more collaborative approach to foreign policy.
The candidate's top priorities if elected to office, tracked against previous promises and accomplishments, if any
Prioritize supporting the post-pandemic economic recovery program presented by presidential candidate Leni Robredo to help generate more jobs
1. Augment the capacity of the AFP
2. Increase soldiers’ quarters and subsistence allowances and push for equitable distribution of salary increases among uniformed personnel
Authored the Senate Joint Resolution No. 2, or the Increase of Subsistence Allowance of Uniformed Personnel, approved by the president on March 2015, effective as of Jan. 1, 2015
Livestream all public biddings in all government agencies
Anti-corruption campaign
1. On the West Philippine Sea dispute, harness more support from other countries, particularly through the United Nations and ASEAN
2. Strengthen the Visiting Forces Agreement and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the United States
3. Consider joining the “Freedom of Navigation” operations conducted in the South China Sea by the US and its allies
4. Hasten modernization of our military equipment and capability
Briefly served as President Benigno Aquino III’s backdoor negotiator with Beijing on the dispute over the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal and described it as having “minor successes”
The candidate's top five accomplishments and contributions for the last 15 years or so
Public Office
Trillanes’s five-year naval career included law enforcement engagements, search and rescue operations and naval operations in support of ground operations against the Abu Sayyaf.
On July 27, 2003, Lieutenant Senior Grade Trillanes and over 300 AFP junior officers took over Oakwood Premier (now, Ascott Manila) in Makati to protest the alleged corruption of the Arroyo administration and in the military. The mutiny by the Magdalo group (as they later came to be called) ended after 18 hours, with the arrest of all participants, followed by detention and charges before a military court for violation of the Articles of War and coup d’etat cases before the Makati City Regional Trial Court.
While in detention, Trillanes won a Senate seat but was denied permission to attend sessions by the Makati RTC. On Nov. 29, 2007, Trillanes, Brigadier General Danilo Lim and other Magdalo soldiers walked out during a hearing and occupied Manila Peninsula hotel in Makati, again calling for Arroyo’s ouster. The mutiny ended after six hours, with the surrender of most of the officers. The Department of Justice filed rebellion charges against them.
Some three years later, on Oct. 11, 2010, President Benigno Aquino III signed Proclamation No. 50 granting amnesty to active and former AFP members and supporters (and later, PNP members) involved in the Magdalo-related incidents. A few days later, Trillanes was released from detention, vowing to support the Aquino administration. After the DND granted Trillanes’ application for amnesty, all rebellion and coup d’etat charges were dismissed.
In 2012, President Aquino admitted that Trillanes was allowed to act as a backchannel negotiator with China amid a tense standoff over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal. Though the informal appointment was questioned even by Trillanes' colleagues in the Senate, Aquino maintained that the senator achieved “minor successes”. His brief designation by President Aquino as a backchannel negotiator to China in relation to the claims over the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal yielded “minor successes,” according to the chief executive.
Trillanes won a second Senate term in 2013 but launched a vice-presidential campaign in 2016. During that campaign, Trillanes filed a plunder complaint against Duterte before the Office of the Ombudsman, accusing him of hiding P2.4 billion worth of deposits gained from alleged illegal drug operations.Trillanes lost the vice-presidential race but retained his Senate seat where he sought to include the alleged Davao Death Squad killings in the investigation of summary executions under the Duterte administration. Trillanes continued to call for probes into Duterte’s bank accounts but the Ombudsman eventually ended its investigation in February 2018.
Duterte issued Proclamation No. 572 on Aug. 31, 2018, declaring Trillanes’ amnesty void from the very beginning, due to “insufficient” admission of guilt, among other reasons. The DND alleged that the amnesty application documents appear to have been lost. Trillanes briefly stayed in his Senate office after being guaranteed protection from arrest in the chamber's premises.
Trillanes was eventually arrested and posted bail for the 2007 rebellion charge. In March 2021, the CA reversed the orders that effectively re-opened the case for failure to comply with the proper judicial inquiry but upheld the validity of the 2018 order revoking the amnesty. In May 2021, CA also denied the attempt to re-open the coup d’etat case against Trillanes, finding no factual basis to accuse him of not complying with all the conditions of amnesty.
His involvement in probes on President Duterte’s bank accounts garnered significant attention from both mainstream media and political bloggers. To combat and to end the “era of fake news”, Trillanes, one of the co-authors of the Cybercrime Prevention Act, filed cyber libel charges against Rey Joseph “RJ” Nieto, or blog owner “Thinking Pinoy” over Nieto’s Facebook post in Oct. 31, 2017, alleging that US President Donald Trump called Trillanes a drug lord. In September 2017, he also filed complaints on three counts of cyber libel, and one count each of violations of the Anti-Graft and Practices Act and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and falsification and use of false documents against Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson, who had alleged that he had secret bank accounts in Singapore via sharing of the post.
As a lawmaker for two terms in the Senate, Trillanes authored at least 17 laws, and principally authored or sponsored nine laws. He also participated in numerous investigations against public officers, resulting in the filing of both civil and criminal cases against him.
Principal sponsor, 2018
Approved by the president on Apr. 12, 2019
Author, 2012
Author, 2012
Principal author and principal sponsor, 2012
Approved by the president on Apr. 23, 2013
Principal author and principal sponsor, 2011
Approved by the president on July 15, 2011
Principal author, 2008
Approved by the president on Mar. 10, 2009
Actions and/or proceedings pending against or resolved in courts or tribunals involving the candidate, based on publicly available information
Pending Actions and/or Proceedings
| Subject Matter | Relevant Dates | Potential Liability | Status |
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| Libel case
Filed by then-Makati Mayor Junjun Binay for Trillanes’ accusation of bribery and corruption Trillanes claimed in interviews in April 2015 that then-CA justices Jose Reyes Jr. and Francisco Acosta were bribed P25 million to stop the 1st suspension order issued by the Office of the Ombudsman against Binay over alleged anomalies in the construction of Makati City Hall Building 2 The Supreme Court later affirmed the restraining order on said suspension, which the CA justices said in effect vindicated them from the bribery allegations Indirect contempt Imposed by the CA after Triallnes accused two CA justices of accepting bribes; the CA stated that the imputations are “malicious and baseless” |
Libel case filed in the Makati RTC - 2015
RTC found Trillanes guilty - May 31, 2021 |
Ordered to pay P500,000 in moral damages and costs of suit to Binay, and P100,000 in fines (per SC circular preferring imposition of fines rather than imprisonment in libel cases)
P30,000 fine |
Trillanes to exhaust all legal remedies against the ruling
CA Order issued on May 22, 2016 |
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Libel case/damages
Filed by Antonio L. Tiu at the Makati RTC over Trillanes’ alleged defamatory statements before the media from Oct. 8 to 14, 2014, or repeated accusations that Tiu was a mere “dummy” of then-Vice President Binay (Tiu claimed ownership of the estate tagged as Hacienda Binay, contradicting Trillanes’ accusation that the Binays owned it) |
Case filed in the RTC - May 19, 2015
RTC denied Trillanes’ motion to dismiss and motion for reconsideration - Dec. 16, 2016 Trillanes filed a petition for certiorari directly to the SC, partly citing a clear threat to his parliamentary immunity and freedoms of speech and of expression, and prayed for the RTC’s orders to be reversed and for the dismissal of the complaint |
Damages and fine | SC decision dated Mar. 14, 2018 denied Trillanes’ petition, citing procedural infirmity and lack of merit. |
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Kidnapping
The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group filed a kidnapping complaint against Trillanes, Jesuit priest Father Albert Alejo and lawyer Jude Sabio for allegedly keeping Davao-based Guillermina Barrido-Arcillas in a convent in Metro Manila in Dec. 2016 until she signed what she called a “ready made affidavit”. Trillanes denied meeting Arcillas, though he said that she volunteered to be a witness in the International Criminal Court case against President Duterte but Arcillas failed the vetting |
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1. Inciting to sedition, cyber libel, libel and obstruction of justice
The CIDG filed complaints against Trillanes, Vice President Leni Robredo, and 35 other persons including some opposition senators and candidates (mostly belonging to the Liberal Party and staff) over the viral “Bikoy” videos tagging President Duterte and his family in the illegal drug trade All persons accused denied involvement, citing harassment by the government 2. Conspiracy to commit sedition Filed by the Department of Justice against Trillanes and nine others over the “Bikoy” narcolist videos |
1. Inciting to sedition, cyber libel, libel and obstruction of justice charges filed - July 18, 2019
2. Conspiracy to commit sedition - Feb. 10, 2020 |
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| Two more inciting to sedition cases, two more libel/damages cases and a grave threat complaint
(please refer to Appendix below) |
Resolved Actions and/or Proceedings
| Subject Matter | Relevant Dates | Accrued Liability | Status |
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Two ethics complaints filed before the Senate Ethics Committee by:
1. Lawyer Abelardo de Jesus 2. Senator Richard Gordon, over Trillanes’ “unparliamentary acts” and language |
1. De Guzman’s complaint filed on Feb. 2017, concerning his allegation two years ago that two CA justices received P25 million each to stop the suspension order against then Makati City Mayor Junjun Binay
2. Gordon complaint filed on September 2017, concerning remarks during a Senate hearing (on P6.4 billion shabu shipmen) on Aug. 31, 2017 |
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The 17th Congress has adjourned and Trillanes’s 2nd term ended in 2019 before the Senate Ethics Committee could issue decisions on the complaints |
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Ethics complaint
Filed before the Senate Ethics Committee by Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon against Senators Panfilo Lacson and Trillanes in connection with the Senate hearings on a P6.4 billion shabu shipment; specific to Trillanes, the “insinuations” he made during said hearings |
Senate hearings on Aug, 2017
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Dismissed by the Senate Ethics Committee |
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Petition for certiorari and prohibition
Filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida and his family against Trillanes and various Senate committees to stop a legislative inquiry on government contracts allegedly awarded to a security services company of the Calida family |
Petition filed in 2018
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On Sept. 3, 2019, the Supreme Court dismissed the petition for mootness, following the closing of the 17th Congress, the automatic cessation of the proposed investigation and the end of Trillanes’s term as senator |
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Rebellion charge
Filed in relation to the Manila Peninsula siege |
2007
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Trillanes and other mutineers were charged, then granted amnesty by President Benigno Aquino III in 2010
The amnesty granted to Trillanes was then revoked by President Duterte in 2018, but the CA ruled that the case could not be reopened |
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Coup d’ etat charge
Filed in relation to the Oakwood mutiny |
2003
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Trillanes and other mutineers were charged, then granted amnesty by President Benigno Aquino III in 2010
The amnesty granted to Trillanes was then revoked by President Duterte in 2018, but the CA ruled that the case could not be reopened |
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Violation of War Crimes
Filed in relation to the Oakwood mutiny |
2003
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Trillanes and other mutineers were charged, then granted amnesty by President Benigno Aquino III in 2010 |
Also known as SALN, this document is a declaration of one's personal finances. Philippine Law requires the SALN to be submitted by all public officials and employees to the Ombudsman. Public officials and employees may opt to voluntarily disclose their SALN to the public.
* As of Dec. 31, 2018
Key details about the candidate's campaign
Candidate's major donors and campaign funding sources
The candidate's top advocacies in the last 15 years or so
Position/Date
2017 to present
The Feliciano Commission reported that the mutineers had a well-establish plot to take over the government but some of their grievances were legitimate and underlined the need for modernization of the military establishment
Some reforms were instituted such better accountability for military spending and a grievance system for subordinates
Status
Trillanes and other mutineers were charged, then granted amnesty by President Benigno Aquino III in 2010
The amnesty granted to Trillanes was then revoked by President Duterte in 2018
Status
The passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill was blocked by Sen. Vicente Sotto III in the Senate, claiming certain provisions run contrary to religious and academic freedom as well as equal rights
The 18th Congress under Sotto’s leadership will adjourn without passing the SOGIE bill.
The House of Representatives unanimously approved its own version of the bill as early as 2017.
Basic information on the candidate's family, background and work experience
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Antonio F. Trillanes Sr., father, Navy Captain
Estelita F. Trillanes, mother
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Dominic Trillanes
Antonia Trillanes
Antonio Trillanes Jr.
Antonio Trillanes III
Juan Antonio Trillanes
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Thea Estelle Trillanes
Francis Seth Trillanes
Alan Andrew Trillanes (deceased)
• B.S. Naval Systems Engineering, Philippine Military Academy, 1995
• Master of Public Administration, Major in Public Policy and Program Management, University of the Philippines - Diliman, 2005
• National and International Security Program, Harvard Kennedy School
• Senator, Senate of the Philippines, 2007 - 2013, 2013 - 2019
• Backchannel negotiator to China, in relation to the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, 2012
• Backchannel negotiator to China, in relation to the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, 2012
• Lieutenant Senior Grade, Philippine Navy
Learn more about this candidate
Public Office
Principal author, 2012
Approved by the president on Dec. 11, 2012
Author, 2014
Approved by the president on March 2015, effective as of Jan. 1, 2015
Author, 2011
Approved by the president on Sept. 12, 2012
Author, 2011
Approved by the president on Aug. 15, 2012
Principal author, 2012
Approved by the president on May 7, 2013
Pending Actions and/or Proceedings
| Subject Matter | Relevant Dates | Potential Liability | Status |
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Inciting to sedition
Filed by Labor undersecretary Jacinto Paras and Presidential Anti-Corruption Commissioner Manuelito Luna over “incendiary and hateful speeches against President Duterte after issuance of Proclamation 572 that voided the amnesty granted to him during the previous administration” made by Trillanes in media interview on Sept. 4-5, 2018 |
Assistant City Prosecutor Reynaldo Ticyado resolved (Jan. 29, 2019) to file inciting to sedition charges against Trillanes before the Pasay Metropolitan Court - Feb. 11, 2019
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Libel
Filed by Duterte’s eldest son, then-Davao City Mayor Paolo Duterte, and son-in-law, Manases Carpio, citing a radio interview where Trillanes accused them of “conniving” with LTFRB Director Ahmed Cuison to demand a “percentage” or money before approving a franchise of ride-hailing firm Uber, which they denied as black |
Case filed - Sept. 6, 2018
4 warrants of arrest were issued by the Davao court Trillanes posted bail |
Damages and fine
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Grave threats
Labor undersecretary Paras accused Trillanes of “threatening to kill him” during a confrontation over a handshake inside the Senate session hall on May 29, 2018 Trillanes denied it, but said Paras had the gall to shake his hand after filing a sedition case in Nov. 2017 |
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Civil case
Filed by Paolo Duterte, and Manases Carpio after Trillanes sought to have them invited to a Senate blue ribbon committee probe into the illegal shabu shipment from China after Duterte and Carpio were implicated by Customs fixer Mark Taguba (who later recanted); Trillanes, also accused the two of having over P100 million in each of their bank accounts |
Filed on Dec. 27, 2017
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Inciting to sedition
Filed by members of the pro-Duterte Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption group after Trillanes’ remarks in an Oct. 2017 privilege speech (referring to Duterte’s challenged for anyone to shoot or overthrow him if they can find more than P40 million in his bank account); Trillanes accused Duterte of having P2 billion worth of transactions and hence, soldiers can use M60 machine guns on the President |
Case filed before the Prosecutor’s Office - Nov. 2017
Pasay City senior assistant Joahna Lim filed complaint before the Pasay MeTC Trial Court Branch 45 - Mar. 14, 2018 |
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