Congressional drama

Tension filled the House of Representatives as they voted to impeach the current vice president last week. It seemed like old ties were disregarded and connections were thrown down the drain. More than 200 lawmakers moved to implicate Duterte, including those representing districts in Cebu. It came as no surprise. The House always acts as one, with several abstaining as part of their democratic right. The proceedings felt eerily familiar, reminiscent of how they decided the fate of the ABS-CBN franchise. The situation was similar, but the matter at hand was different.

Many were glued to the proceedings of this rather unique case. At the same time, many were also quick to judge how their elected representatives acted. Past photos of them with the vice president surfaced online, often accompanied by captions that condemned their entire persona. Others ridiculed them, calling them names such as traitor, backstabber, and the like. This was an outright judgment based on a single signature made public. A part of me wants to say that this is all part of freedom of speech, but a bigger part of me believes we need to look beyond optics.

The complaints filed against the vice president were based on facts, primarily stemming from findings in several hearings concerning her office. The primary issue raised was due to unexplained use of public funds. It should also be remembered how her staff was embroiled in controversies that only fueled further drama. Simply put, the situation did not reflect well on the position she held. A wise member of Congress may have seen this and sought to put an end to her antics. While we cannot discount the possibility of political maneuvering to favor the administration, we also cannot judge purely in hindsight.

Our country's political landscape is undeniably evolving. It has come a long way since the inception of the 'Uniteam’ in 2022. This was the team that took the elections by storm. Just look at how three years have reshaped their goals, with the fate of the Filipino people resting in their hands. The current administration has three years left to complete its term, and there is still much to be done. This drama affects us in many ways, but if we are unsure how to feel about it, we might as well step back and let events unfold. However, this does not mean we should be apathetic to the situation.

We are bound to witness more political drama in the coming years, especially as we approach the midterm elections. This display of power is worth watching --perhaps even with a bag of popcorn in hand. By carefully analyzing every move of those in power, we allow ourselves to understand their motives and agenda. This is crucial, especially in an election year. The way they act will influence public opinion and spark even more reactions online. This political drama might just become the highest-rated show of this generation. I wonder how long it will stay at the top.