SOME say that a governance needs a good opposition to bring out the best in itself. Will this hold true for a government that is marred by a political rumble where supremacy is tested and egos are displayed?
The three great departments of the Philippine government—the Executive (President), Legislative (Senate and House of Representatives) and Judiciary (Supreme Court and all other courts)—are empowered by the Constitution to preserve freedom and democracy among its people.
To serve such purpose, these institutions are accorded with distinct powers and responsibilities. However, to prevent any form of abuse of power, they are also subjected to separation of powers with appropriate checks and balances to ensure accountability and responsiveness in the government.
This complicated exchange lives under the Filipinos’ scrutiny. The departments are expected to play a complementary relationship, one that is more symbiotic and less parasitic. If they begin to be at each other’s throats, erosion of public trust will be the impending result.
In the long run, this will leave the government to hang in a precarious balance. This might cripple the country that is dependent on the ideals of democracy and thrives on public participation.
In the Senate, a line has been (clearly) drawn on Monday, Feb. 27 when six senators were relegated to the minority. Sen. Manny Pacquiao has moved that the Senate President Pro Tempore post, held by Sen. Franklin Drilon, as vacant. Sen. Ralph Recto was sworn in on the same day to assume the post.
Three other senators took the hit on Monday as Senators Risa Hontiveros, Francis Pangilinan and Bam Aquino were stripped off their chairmanship of the committees on health, agriculture and education, respectively. Senators JV Ejercito, Cynthia Villar Francis Pangilinan and Francis Escudero were named their replacements.
They now join Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, a staunch critic of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, in the minority. Another Liberal Party (LP) member Sen. Leila De Lima, who was previously arrested on drug charges by the Department of Justice, completes the minority bloc.
Pacquiao revealed on Tuesday, Feb. 28 that at least 15 senators previously gathered in his house in Makati City to plan the reorganization of the Senate. He also pointed out that Malacañang had no hand in the shakeup that resulted in the removal of LP senators and allies from their positions.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson told reporters that he, Sotto, Senators Gregorio Honasan II and Loren Legarda pushed for the meeting, concerned about the “awkward” situation in the chamber.
“Most of us are not pro-Duterte or anti-Duterte. We do not want to be subservient but we also do not want to be hostile to the administration,” Sen. Vicente Sotto III explained.
This current rumpus in the upper chamber of the Congress is a far more complex issue than just the “few bad apples spoil the whole bunch” defense. Averting a constitutional crisis does not mean developing a pugnacious attitude. These are the very people entrusted by the Filipinos to articulate measures that would ease their hardships.
Despite all these political horse trading, we can conclude that Filipinos are becoming increasingly informed today because finally there is actually a debate on issues—that matter—taking place. This means that both sides are engaging and the country is being better served. (AJPress)
