TOO much drama for the sake of political grandstanding compelled retired military officers forming part of the so-called Magdalo group, to ditch the organization and join former Senator Gringo Honasan.
According to insiders, the breakaway group, mostly soldiers who took part in the Oakwood mutiny in 2003, disapprove the manner in which former Senator Antonio Trillanes has been “projecting the organization in preparation for another crack to run for public office in 2028.”
Trillanes has lost three elections in a row.
“Our Magdalo group is supposed to be an advocate for military reform, good governance and public service, not a political machinery,” the source told The PH Insider.
Originally a faction of dissident soldiers, Magdalo transitioned into a registered political organization.
Interestingly, the breakaway group hinted at pursuing change through parliamentary process. “Ito mas malinaw, boses namin ang maririnig, hindi lang boses ng nagmamagaling,” the source added.
In abandoning Trillanes, the dissenters hinted at joining Honasan’s Reform PH Party, alongside veterans of the EDSA People Revolution, former members of the disbanded Alex Boncayao Brigade, and Muslim commanders and fighters who chose to set aside destabilization at armed conflict.
Honasan previously said in an interview that the party’s goal is to engage in “a level playing field, the parliamentary struggle.”
The defection of Magdalo founding members came after Trillanes stormed the Senate to serve an arrest warrant against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on May 11.
“He (Trillanes) does not have the legal personality to serve the warrant. He’s just there for political grandstanding. That’s what he is good at,” an obviously pissed off source added.
“We would no longer allow anyone to be used for personal gains,” he quipped.
