Whether or not the newly released Senate report on the C-5 road controversy was fraught with politics or a mere gimmick to throw mud at the controversial Senator Manny Villar, the fact is, this institution has rules. As a member of this institution, Villar has the responsibility of complying faithfully with all its rules.
If, as Villar alleges, the report was fraught with political partisanship, and it was “stage managed” by the majority, it is still incumbent upon him and his allies to read and debate the report on the floor. That is what I call democracy.
Villar has accused the Senate, the very institution which cuddled him for so many years, of being partial or biased in favor of his political enemies. Reason dictates that, as the accused, Villar should have been vigilant and in fact, be in the lead in defending himself before the chamber, not outside of it.
The reason why Villar resorts to just TV interviews is very simple–he cannot be made accountable for his remarks. Villar must be made to realize that his actions are simply unparliamentary and is beneath his stature as a senator of the land. He is making a mockery out of the only pillar of democracy in this country.
And this issue is beyond Villar nor of politics. This is all about the Senate, as an institution, acting with full powers given to it by the People.
This is about a chamber, given full powers, to act according to its rules and according to the very laws which animate this Nation.
This is about leadership, responsible, accountable and principled. This is about leaders who respect the laws and the mandate given to them by the People.
This is about enforcement of laws, of rules drafted after hours and hours of debate and deliberations, of Reason and not of partisanship.
Villar said his political enemies had all along planned this. Okey, so why not debate them on the floor?
January 21st, 2010 @ Ricky Rivera
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