Hearing but not listening
The Latin American teleseryes swept the nation some years back, followed by the Korean telenovelas and the so-called Chi-novelas. But these programs must take a backseat to the latest craze gripping our country in terms of air time (12 hours of straight live coverage, outlandish behavior, convoluted plots, and dramatic performances in the ongoing Senate investigation hearings). Surely, the entire nation will again be riveted to their seats as they watch today’s latest episode unfold.
If anything, at least these hearings provide some form of entertainment which, unfortunately, is not the objective. Where else can you witness otherwise respectable individuals make a mockery of a serious legislative process? Forget about reality TV shows like “Survivor,” “The Apprentice,” and “The Bachelor.” The most awesome social experiment happens when more than 20 camera-hungry statesmen (and women) exercise their right to grandstand in front of a captive audience.
It has been said that the most hilarious instances occur when people who are not trying to be funny end up being so. Given this, our senators should quit their day jobs and put the “Bubble Gang” out of business. Among them, they have the complete amusement package: unbearably repetitive questions, a verbal outburst preceding a racial attack, spiteful senior citizens, robotic monotones, and side-comments so inappropriate that only a scriptwriter high on cough syrup could possibly match them for sheer absurdity. If the entire thing wasn’t bordering on pathetic, I would be rolling on the floor laughing.
The thing is, I have an adequate supply of leisure and entertainment activities to choose from. I do not go to the polling precincts every election and pay my taxes in order for these public servants to entertain me. In the case of our senators, I expect, actually, I rightfully demand, that they enact laws that will have a positive effect on the citizenry and our way of life. From what I have seen so far, these “hearings in aid of legislation” have been one big distraction away from legislation.
Considering the behavior of some senators in the ongoing National Broadband Network (NBN) inquiry, it is rather difficult to see what possible laws may come about from the way the investigation is being conducted. If ever, it should be a law which compels senators to strictly adhere to the topic at hand, and not allow their questions to wander off where their fertile imaginations and personal agendas may take them.
A major point must be made: are these hearings on the NBN deal still even necessary? With a double-whammy combination of a TRO given by the Supreme Court and the President’s suspension of the project, I believe the Senate hearings have become moot and academic. There is no reason for further proceedings, considering that there is no longer any contract, deal, or transaction that is being implemented.
Moreover, the situation has become more complicated with Benjamin Abalos’ resignation as Comelec Chairman. Although he is no longer impeachable, private citizen Ben has opened himself up to an onslaught of possible cases filed against him. If the Senate continues to concentrate its efforts on determining Abalos’ guilt, they would in effect already be prejudging the matter before it reaches the lawful venue. In short, the ex-Comelec chairman would be “guilty until proven innocent” even before he gets his fair day in court. This constitutional right cannot be violated under the guise of inquiry in aid of legislation.
Before anyone gets the wrong idea, I am not endorsing a “let bygones be bygones” level of leniency towards those who may be guilty in this knotty deal. The truth must prevail, the Filipino people have a right to know it, and those responsible for any offense must face the consequences. However, there must be a more efficient, legitimate manner at which to arrive at this conclusion. Right now, the Senate can terminate its proceedings, prepare a report on the results of the hearings already completed, and transmit these to the Ombudsman. Accompanying this report would be a request to investigate and look into the culpability of government officials in the aborted project.
Many people hope that this gets done fast, because at the rate things are going, we will continue to have hearings with no one really listening.
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I can’t seem to get over the thrill of the intimate dinner party friends hosted for me last week. The venue was the Glass House model unit of Number One Rockwell at the
Number One Rockwell is Rockwell Land’s most daring project, consisting of a two-tower residential enclave and featuring the world’s first Z-shaped units that give spectacular views of the landscape outside from both ends of each unit. To be finished in 2010,
I was asked what I most wanted for my birthday, and my answer was — a unit at One Rockwell, of course!
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