Grade

The first time I saw him, he was at Oakwood leading a mutiny against an institution.

In a country where everything glitters with a slight dash of showbizty drama, the moment he felt that his comrades' grievances were being acknowledged by the military hierarchy and that their stand-off was being aired around the world, he surrendered, thus preventing blood from being shed in that posh tower.

His sins and adventurism were never forgiven though. Immediately, he and his cohorts were arrested and incarcerated at Fort Bonifacio. His honors and commendations in the military were stripped and his future within the institution gone forever. He was a perfect example of a renegade, idealist soldier who stood for other people's welfare. But his fiery efforts were simply extinguished and thrown back to the heap after the drama was over.

It's not easy to change the system overnight.

But he was never forgotten. His extremely radical acts would haunt not only the military but also the government for years. He will become a stuff of legends, that will bury itself deep inside everyone's psyche. In a country full of apathy, he stands out. For some, he is a hero already.

That is why when election time came, the opposition immediately took him under their wing.

For they know, there is a very strong chance he will win.

With his family out of his way, he campaigned from the heavily fortified barracks of his prison. Without money, or influential backing from the businessmen and peddlers, he went on with his campaign - usually in a sorry, desperate sortie. What kept his machinery running is a group of devoted supporters from the Magdalo and some retired generals who immediately threw their support hoping that Trillanes will push for change in the military.

I remember, when I went to the Genuine Opposition Miting De Avance at Folk Arts Theater last Friday, the only people I saw who directly campaigned for him were a handful of barako guys wearing a rugged black shirt with a Magdalo insignia in their armband. I didn't find any of his stickers or calendars or any trinkets that would make the people who attended remember him. Together with another Senatorial aspirant - Sonia Roco, he is an underdog. He clearly represents the sensible, but powerless and frustrated sectors of the society.

In a country where the underdogs are deified, he immediately captured the imagination of everyone. His image of being stern, composed and disciplined gentleman despite being bullied and oppressed by the unpopular administration gradually catapulted him on top of the surveys. In fact, if I am a voter myself, I'd make sure he will have a slot on my ballot, my mom's ballot and my buddy's ballot. Being an ordinary pinoy who gets easily swayed by emotions (and celebrity status), he is one of my champs. Forget the platforms and propaganda, so long as I honestly feel that he has the moral ascendancy to lead, then I am for him.

And I think I am not alone in my stand. Apparently, there are around 9 million others who shares my sentiments.

If ever he is elected in the Senate, it will not be just his victory or his supporter's or his party's victory. It will be the victory of all Filipinos sympathetic to underdogs who desire for change. He will become a living testament that money may not always guarantee you sure victory. It will be like a million spit and slap on Pichay's repulsive face for spending P300 million to fund his own pathetic election campaign.

And it will signal a new hope for Philippine politics and electoral system that has already lost its credibility during the last elections.

It is still too early to declare who the real victors of this elections are. My hope is that GO will sweep the Senate with a very comfortable majority against the administration. I also hope that Jejomar Binay of Makati, Grace Padaca of Isabela, Alfredo Lim of Manila, Ricky Sandoval of Navotas, Darlene Custodio of GenSan City, Eddie Panlilio of Pampanga and Jesse Robledo of Naga City will win their respective struggles in this election.

It's time to balance the odds in favor of the opposition. And I sincerely wish that they may be able to do so, despite the massive cheating being done to put their spirits out once and for all.