MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III is extending an olive branch to all sectors as he begins his first 100 days in office. This includes the armed rebels and military officers who launched a mutiny against the previous administration.

The military believes a change in leadership provides the best conditions to talk peace and true reform.

"There are still some enlisted personnel unaccounted for. This is an opportune time to reach out to them so they heed our call. It's time to talk, and we are open to reconciliation," said Armed Forces spokesman Brigadier General Jose Mabanta.

Mabanta said the military is open to extending pardon for the mutinous soldiers, an option that can be granted by the Commander-in-Chief.

Lawyers of the mutinous soldiers said they hope the Aquino administration would consider their clients' release and the eventual withdrawal of rebellion charges since their long period of detention is punishment enough.

"The President, as head of the executive branch, can order the Department of Justice to refuse to prosecute the case no matter what stage it is now," said Atty. Trixie Angeles, counsel of Captain Nicanor Faeldon.

"We're hoping that the case will soon be resolved and dismissed. We were expecting during General Bangit's term that instead of granting temporary liberty he should've given more than that by dismissing the case," added retired Marine colonel Ariel Querubin. Querubin is facing charges of mutiny for the 2006 Marine standoff.

A hearing on the 2006 Marine standoff is scheduled today (July 16).

On Thursday, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV posted bail before a Makati Court for the 2007 Manila Peninsula siege. Trillanes' counsel, Atty. Reynaldo Robles, said his client is asking the court to allow him to attend the Senate's first session on July 26 to enable him to perform his duties as senator.

"Considering there would only be 21 senators who would be voting during the opening session, and so his vote to elect the new Senate President might become crucial that's why he requested to participate in the opening session," Robles said.

Trillanes' camp said it is hoping for the senator's speedy release, a possibility the Armed Forces is open to seeing under the new administration.

"The Presidents has spoken about the continued incarceration of Trillanes being an injustice and the possibility the case can be withdrawn if Justice Secretary Leila de lima reviews the case. We're hoping that's where it will go," Robles adds.

Mabanta said the Armed Forces would welcome Trillanes' release if the executive so decides.

Commodore Rex Robles, a member of the Feliciano Commission that investigated the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny, said the clear mandate given to the Aquino administration could allow it to effect genuine change in the military institution.

"There was so much damage some of them probably catastrophic done to our institutions including the military, where the ones who did right are in prison and the ones who did wrong are given promotions. If we look as President Aquino as the transition president who will repair the damage done by Arroyo and company, we will be all right so long as he does it systematically," Commodore Robles said.

"The cases of these people, they were treated as political problems using a legal veneer to put them down. Now that there's a new administration, the administration might feel secure enough because there is no question about legitimacy. There might be a change of attitude," Robles added

But Angeles insists, quelling the grumblings in the military institution partly depends on pursuing unresolved cases of corruption including those involving military officials.

"If you wanted to quell the grumblings, I'd say you go after the `Garci generals," the Mayuga report, corruption... these are still festering issues not only among my clients who are desperate for reform, they want see genuine change, and genuine change starts with justice they have been on the receiving end of the justice for years," Angeles said.