Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV is a retired officer of the Philippine Navy who is now in the course of politics, serving as one of the incumbent Senators of the 16th Congress of the Philippines.
Trillanes is running for Vice President in the May 2016 National Elections as an independent candidate, and without a running mate. It’s either he believe in himself too much or he just can’t find the right match.
Senator Trillanes initially took up Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering at the De La Salle University Manila. While he was still a fourth year student there, he took and passed the entrance exam of the Philippine Military Academy. There, he took up BS Naval Systems Engineering, where he graduated as Cum Laude in 1995. Seven years later, he took his master’s degree in Public Administration Major in Public Policy, at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Then in 2014, he took up National and International Security Program, at the Harvard Kennedy School.
He began his journey as a public servant in 1991 as a cadet in the Philippine Military Academy. After graduating in 1995, he served many positions while assigned in ships. He went from being a Mess and Supply Officer, Deck and Gunnery Officer and Engineering and Damage Control Officer, to Executive Officer and later he was assigned as Acting Commanding Officer of a patrol gunboat.
He also served in higher positions such as: Administrative/Personnel Officer of Philippine Fleet Patrol Force, and Procurement Officer/Instructor, Naval Education and Training Command.
It was during this time when Trillanes and his team apprehended a lot of smugglers, poachers, illegal loggers and human traffickers, during various maritime law enforcement operations conducted in the waters of Basilan, Batanes, Bicol, Cagayan, Cebu, Davao, Ilocos, Iloilo, Isabela, Maguindanao, Mindoro, Palawan, Quezon, Romblon, Scarborough, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zambales, and Zamboanga Peninsula.
As a Senator from 2007-2010, he served as Chairman of the following committees: Committee on Civil Service and Government Reorganization, Committee on Amateur Sports and Competitiveness, and the Senate Select Oversight Committee on Government Procurement.
He also served as Chairman of the following committees from 2013 until present: Committee on National Defense and Security, Committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation, Congressional Oversight Committee on the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act of 2010, Congressional Oversight Committee on the AFP Modernization Act, Select Oversight Committee on Intelligent and Confidential Funds, and the Legislative Oversight Committee on the Visiting Forces Agreement.
Trillanes is one of the most productive Senators in terms of the number of bills and resolutions filed. During his term he was able to file a total of 1,007 bills and resolutions. 52 of which have been passed into law.
However, people don’t seem to notice his achievements, as Senator Antonio Trillanes continues to be the bottom-ranker in both surveys conducted by Pulse Asia and the Social Weather Stations. According to experts, the main reason why he only has a few supporters is because of his lack of a running mate, who will support and help him in his campaigns. He is also an independent candidate, but he is a member of the Nacionalista Party.
PERSONAL DETAILS
Date of Birth: 06 August 1971
Hometown: Caloocan City
Spouse: Arlene Orejana Trillanes
Children: Francis Seth O. Trillanes, Thea Estelle O. Trillanes, Alan Andrew O. Trillanes (deceased)
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT
Post Graduate: Leadership in Development
Harvard Kennedy School, Cambridge, Massachusetts (2015)
National and International Security Program
Harvard Kennedy School, Cambridge, Massachusetts (2014)
Master of Public Administration major in Public Policy and Program Management
University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City (2002-2005)
AWARDS: Two (2) University Scholar Awards (GPA 1.0-1.25)
College Scholar Award (GPA 1.25-1.50)
College: BS Naval Systems Engineering
Philippine Military Academy (1991-1995)
AWARDS: Cum Laude
Mathematics Plaque
Physical Sciences Plaque
Tambuli Award (Electrical/ Electronics Engineering)
BS ECE (4th year)
De La Salle University, Manila (1987-1991)
Secondary: Angelicum School, Quezon City
1983-1987
Elementary: Sienna College, Quezon City
1975-1983
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Senator, Republic of the Philippines
2013- Present:
- Chairman of the Committee on National Defense and Security
- Chairman of the Committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation
- Chairman of the Congressional Oversight Committee on The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010
- Chairman of the Congressional Oversight Committee on the AFP Modernization Act
- Chairman of the Select Oversight Committee on Intelligence and Confidential Funds
- Chairman of the Legislative Oversight Committee on the Visiting Forces Agreement
2007-2010
- Chairman of the Committee on Civil Service and Government Reorganization
- Chairman of the Committee on Amateur Sports Competitiveness
- Chairman of the Senate Select Oversight Committee on Government Procurement
Philippine Navy Officer
- Junior Billet/Sea Duty Assignments (April 1995 – February 1999)
- Executive Officer, Patrol Gunboat (February 1999 – January 2000)
- Acting Commanding Officer, Patrol Gunboat (June 1999 – January 2000)
- Administrative/Personnel Officer (P1), HQ Patrol Force (June 1999 – January 2000)
- Procurement Officer/Instructor, Naval Education and Training Command (January 2000 – June 2001)
Sources: http://trillanes.com.ph/about/the-senator/, Antonio Trillanes IV official Facebook page