The Philippine Senate

Abe Lincoln, in his Gettysburg Address, defined a democracy as “a government of the people, for the people, and by the people.” Our country must have a unique type of democracy because it does not in any way fit this description. In fact, my dad had his own localized version of Lincoln’s famous words. He said that, “Ours is a government off the people, fool the people and buy the people.”

The campaign for the coming elections in May has begun. Candidates are branding their names all over the country making sure we remember their names, faces and colors. True colors? Well, that is a different story altogether.

If we want a government to be “of the people, for the people and by the people,” then, we must choose our candidates wisely. We should also go out of our way as private citizens to help and guide the illiterate voters in discerning who has the ability to help the country versus one who will fool us and take advantage of our hard earned tax-money.

Let’s talk about the importance of the Senate and its members. Our forefathers fought for our independence from colonial rule. During this struggle, they recognized the critical role of a legislating body. The legislature of any society performs the important function of deliberating policies for the people and passing them in the form of statutes. Although the Philippine Legislature was organized only in 1916, our history shows that during the pre-Spanish period the barangays were already governed by a set of rules.

History tells us that after the victory over Spain, the Malolos Congress was established based on their Constitution. The Philippine Legislature, composed of the Philippine Senate and the House of Representatives was created under the Philippine Autonomy Act popularly known as the Jones Law (passed by the Congress of the United States and became law on August 29, 1916). It served as the legislative body of the Philippines from October 1916 to November 1935, until it was succeeded by the National Assembly upon its inauguration on November 15, 1935 under the Commonwealth.

While it is true that the first National Assembly was highly successful with outstanding achievements, this was not due to the unicameral system adapted at that time but instead, to the brilliant ability and high patriotism of the legislative leaders and members at that time. And to create a system of checks and balances the two-chamber legislature which underlines democratic governments and institutions, making tyranny less possible was put into place. Thus, the Senate was established.

The success of the House of Representatives and the Senate would remain in the hands of the respectable, reputable and reliable statesmen truly deserving of public trust. It was with strong belief that both chambers would arrive in making sound judgments and decisions whose justice and wisdom will be in accordance with the will of the people; responsive to our needs and to the call of the times.

But when martial law was declared in 1972, Congress was abolished. After the bloodless coup of February 1986 it was restored and up to this day, we have the bicameral congress.

Article VI, Section 2 of the Constitution provides: The Senate shall be composed of twenty-four Senators who shall be elected at large by the qualified voters of the Philippines, as may be provided by law. This will reaffirm and consolidate the unity of the Filipino people, help eradicate the danger of sectionalism and potential division among our compatriots, and bring about a stronger and more cohesive national entity.

The electorate will choose the best to constitute the august membership of the Senate. The composition of the Senate is smaller in number as compared to the House of Representatives. The Senators elected will not have their attention restricted by the pressing demand of a specific portion of the country, but would be focused on problems of national character. Such a Senate would render incalculable service in the coordination of governmental activities in the formulation of general policies and in the shaping of a larger framework of the nation.

Sadly, the credibility and integrity of the Senate as a “once” noble and honorable institution has diminished over time. Our Senate trials have become the perfect venue for grandstanding opportunities. Their self-serving antics are quite embarrassing even to the international communities.

The recent scandal involving “cash gifts” given by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile to 18 senators, the word war between Enrile and Miriam Defensor, the privilege speech of Cayetano that turned into a tirade of accusations with Enrile retaliating and turning personal, all this washing of dirty linens in public simply show how low the esteemed institution has gone and how unproductive it has become. Not to mention the issue on plagiarism by a Senate member which dominated the social media a few months ago. Susmariosep!

Today’s modern day Senators are less steady of character and less genuinely devoted to duty and service. They are filled with too much glory and pride, seeking for wider and more ostentatious publicity to their really unusual success and would often parade themselves before the people to receive public acclaim. Even making sure they hit the newspapers or radio/ television news every single day to make a “buzz” for more public adulation.

How do we choose our Senators? I think we need to look deeper. We must learn to see their true colors, their character. A good Senator should have a sterling character instead of mainly vanity which would pollute the purity of his idealism and his spotless dedication to duty. He must have wisdom and vast knowledge equaled by his modesty and Christian humility. A good Senator is a true statesman who believes that true virtue should not seek worldly reward and compensation as its objective, neither should these be his principal incentive. Lastly, one more essential element to make a truly great Senator is that, he must be a good man, whose thoughts are noble and whose ideals are high.

Together with these characteristics, we must also choose candidates who have clear visions, platforms and programs. We must look at the aspirant’s track record and advocacies. We must ensure that the parties they belong to represent the needs and aspirations of the larger sectors of society. They must not represent the interest of the oligarchs (old and new) that continue to exploit the country, our people and our natural resources. They must be the true representatives of the people and not of their families or family enterprise.

If we want a strong democracy, a government “of the people, for the people and by the people,” then, we must do away in choosing the most popular celebrity of the day.