Trillanes joins Aksyon Demokratiko ahead of Caloocan mayoralty plan

Former senator Antonio "Sonny" Trillanes has formally joined Aksyon Demokratiko ahead of his plan to run for mayor in Caloocan City.

Trillanes, however, said he "will make the formal announcement at the proper time."

"That's the direction pero I will make the announcement at the proper time," he told GMA News Online.

Aksyon Demokratiko chairperson Ernest Ramel, Jr. administered the oath Monday.

"Malugod naming tinatanggap si dating senador, "Sonny" Trillanes sa Aksyon Demokratiko (Aksyon). Isa sa mga adhikain ng Aksyon ay ang malinis, mahusay, at mabilis na pamamahala sa lokal na pamahalaan na may tunay na pagmamalasakit sa mamamayan," said Ramel in a statement. 

(We warmly accept former senator Sonny Trillanes in Aksyon Demokratiko. One of our advocacies is a clean, good, and efficient governance that has a true concern for the people.)

"Naniniwala kami na katulad ng pangulo ng Aksyon Demokratiko na si former Manila mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, ay magiging mahusay na punong-bayan si dating senador, Sonny Trillanes", he said. 

(Like Aksyon Demokratiko president Isko Moreno, we believe the former senator would be a good leader.)

The former legislator confirmed he is now part of Aksyon Demokratiko on a social media post. 

“Ngayong araw, ako at ang aking mga kasama sa Caloocan ay nanumpa bilang mga bagong miyembro ng Aksyon Demokratiko. Maraming salamat kina Aksyon chairperson Emeritus Sonia Roco, Chairman Ernest Ramel Jr., at Aksyon President Isko Moreno Domagoso sa inyo mainit na pagtanggap,” Trillanes said. 

(Today, we took oath as members of Aksyon Demokratiko. We thank Aksyon chairperson Emeritus Sonia Roco, chairman Ernest Ramel Jr., and Aksyon President Isko Moreno Domagoso for their warm welcome.)

A former Navy officer, Trillanes ran for the Senate in 2007 while detained over his participation in mutinies against the administration of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

In 2010, President Benigno Aquino III signed a proclamation granting him and other members of the Magdalo amnesty for joining the 2003 Oakwood mutiny, February 2006 Marine standoff, and the 2007 Manila Peninsula incident.

He joined the Nacionalista Party in 2012. He sought re-election as part of the NP, which forged a partnership with the Liberal Party for the 2013 mid-term elections. He ranked ninth.

Trillanes ran for vice-president in the 2016 national elections but lost to Leni Robredo. He, however, remained in the Senate as his term was until 2019.

In 2022, he ran again for senator but lost.—Sundy Locus/AOL, GMA Integrated News