EDITORIAL: Legislators killing democracy faster than communists

One of the clearest signs that a democratic society is in decay is when one of its most solid and trusted foundations begins to crack. One such foundation is the democratic principle of presumption of innocence.

The beauty of the principle of presumption of innocence, if fully recognized and widely practiced, is that it effectively thwarts abuse of power and keeps at bay that all-too-human tendency of a person to take the law into his own hands, the precursor of that scourge anarchy.

Without presumption of innocence, every man becomes as guilty as his accuser accuses him to be. And with the state capable of imposing punishment only so much, the urge to take the quicker route -- taking the law into one's own hands -- becomes irresistably great.

The Philippines prides itself in being the showcase of democracy in Asia. That is a claim that has grown increasingly hollow and empty with each passing day. The irony is that the threat to democracy does not come from those who seek to subvert it but those who abuse it.

The communists are at least an enemy we know. But a far greater threat comes not from the communists and their avowed aim to subvert democracy. It comes from within, from those we have entrusted the duty to preserve democracy but are themselves the ones killing it.

We refer to our supposedly honorable and distinguished ladies and gentlemen of the House of Representatives and the Senate who, in their curious addiction to inquiries, have taken to stripping people they invite as resource persons of any presumption of innocence.

Our lawmakers, the very ones who are supposed to ensure a continuum of democracy by crafting laws meant to enrich and strengthen its practice, are the very ones in the forefront of stripping the people of their very basic democratic rights.

Never in the history of democratic practice in this country have legislators assumed the roles of accusers, judges and executioners except now. Now our legislators are not just ordering arrests and taking people into custody, they are actually sending them to jail.

Lawmakers may have the authority to compel appearance in their circuses, but that does not deprive taxpayers the right to refuse if the purpose of their appearance is only for them to be scolded and humiliated unless they can, in reverse of democracy, prove their innocence.