MANILA, Philippines - Having survived a 4-year incarceration, former Marine Col. Ariel Querubin is hopeful that reforms in the military will finally take place under the leadership of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

In an interview with ANC's "Top Story" on Wednesday, the military officer linked to the February 2006 Marine standoff said, “I heard the President talk about military reforms and I am very upbeat. I have high expectations that he’ll be able to address all these.”

Even when he was in prison, Querubin already knew he would be getting justice from the new administration.

He did not even have to request for an audience with the Aquino camp. He said all he had to do was to wait.

“Nung nanalo kasi siya, lahat ng pronouncements niya, they were so friendly. Deep inside, sabi ko, bakit ako magmamadali? Lahat naman ng sinasabi ni presidente…pabor sa akin, so aantayin ko na lang…,” he said.

In fact, Querubin is the last military officer linked to the alleged mutiny to have been given temporary freedom.

His 2 other colleagues, former Marine commandant Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda and former Scout Ranger chief Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, have already been granted provisional liberty.

Even then, he still refused to write a request letter to new Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Ricardo David.

“I received [a] release…signed on a Saturday. Pero nakalagay dun e nag-request ako. So I told [Brig. Gen. Reynaldo M. Ordonez, his custodian], ‘di naman ako nag-request sa iyo,’” he said.

The release order was later amended.

“I felt some sense of belongingness…Nakita ko na I’m back in the Armed Forces,” he said.

David broke the news to him on Thursday, he said. “Tinanggap niya ako na very warm…Tinanong niya ako kung sino ang nakakulong pa,” he said.

‘Healing Chief of Staff’

He called David a “healing chief of staff” who could bring about the changes being emphasized by the new administration.

Querubin however stressed that the “open wound” inflicted during President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s time will only be resolved if those involved will already come out in the open.

Querubin had led a mass withdrawal after the “Hello Garci” controversy had surfaced. He claimed the military was used to cheat in the 2004 elections.

A military fact-finding board later cleared the officers involved in the controversy. Then AFP inspector general Vice Adm. Mateo Mayuga said there was lack of evidence.

“Ako talaga, hindi yan matatapos hanggat hindi nila ilalabas publicly yun resulta,” he said.

Nonetheless, it would have still been a futile effort since all vital witnesses were never called to appear before the fact-finding board, he said.

He said he is hopeful that the Truth Commission will finally jump start the process.

“Malay ninyo, later on, willing na rin sila mag-surface at sabihin kung ano yung nalalaman nila dahil bago na yung administrasyon,” he said.

Querubin was still mum on the appropriateness of their actions in 2006.

Asked for his advice to junior officers, he said: “The first time I was incarcerated, I came out a reformed man. I always tell my subordinates that reforms should start within. Umpisahan natin na ireporma ang sarili at kusa na ang pagbabago.”

This was the second time that Querubin was incarcerated.

He said he would be filing his retirement once the case is resolved.