Some senators, then and now

We were once a nation in euphoria. The date was February 25, 1986. People the world over recognized our incredible political feat. If coup d’etat is an illegal, and violent overthrow of an existing government by a band of military officers, ours was not coup d’etat in 1986. While it started with a small group of soldiers, it evolved into a people’s uprising. We just deposed a perceived dictator without shedding a single drop of blood. Probably except for Portugal's Carnation Revolution in 1974, no other country had succeeded in toppling its leader through a bloodless revolution. Fittingly, in her first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27, 1987, Philippine President Corazon Aquino, spoke in glowing words about the “rededication of the hallowed halls of Congress to the pursuit of the fruits of true democratic rule."

I am focusing on Aquino’s choosing the words “hallowed halls of Congress” as the purpose of this article today is precisely that coinage. President Cory was right then. When you speak of men like Lorenzo Tanada, Arturo Tolentino, Jovito Salonga and Jose Diokno (and of women like Tecla San Andres Ziga, Helena Benitez, Eva Estrada Kalaw and Leticia Ramos-Shahani) as our senators, their offices were literally “hallowed”, meaning holy, respected and sacred corridors of power. Their minds were among the most brilliant of our race. Their dignified names were never stained by any shadow of disrepute. To my knowledge, none of them were ever associated with the word corrupt.

Can we place Senator Lorenzo Tanada, holder of a Harvard University Master of Laws and a University of Santo Tomas Doctor in Civil law and Senator Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa, PMA Class of 1986, on the same “hallowed” podium of respectability without any Filipino feeling insulted? We cannot compare the brilliance of the minds of Senators Arturo Tolentino, second place in the 1934 bar examination, and holder of UST, Master of Law and Doctor of Civil Law (meritissimus) and Rodante Marcoleta, a 1989 bar passer, with a UE MBA and UP Doctorate in Public Administration, on the same “hallowed” niche of profundity without getting goosebumps.

No Filipino remembers Senator Jovito Salonga - first place in the 1944 bar exams, Harvard University Ll.M., Yale University SJD - being accused of corruption in the same vein as the reason for the incarceration of Senator Jose Pimentel Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada.

Jose W. Diokno, who graduated with a degree in Commerce, Summa Cum Laude from De La Salle College and tied with Senator Salonga for first place in the 1944 bar exams cannot just be compared in academic achievements and his battle against corruption to Senator Joel Villanueva - who holds a Commerce degree from UST and completed Special Studies in Business Administration at Harvard Extension School. Diokno fought the corrupt Harry Stonehill and his tentacles while there is a reported pall of plunder gloom over the head of Villanueva.

Are Senators San Andres-Ziga and Lorna Regina Bautista “Loren” Legarda equals in academic glory and social status? Ziga, the first woman bar topnotcher, was married to lawyer Venancio Ziga. They had one child, Victor who also became a senator. On the other hand, Legarda, who graduated AB Broadcast Communication, cum laude from UP, and holds an MNSA from the Nat’l Defense College, married Antonio Leviste. Loren performed well as a senator although her son, Congressman Leandro Leviste, is under investigation for alleged multibillion peso corporate case which might affect her integrity.

Finally, if we map out a comparison between Senator Franklin Drilon, a third placer in the 1969 bar exam with Erwin Tulfo, who ascended to public office as a brash media practitioner, we are compelled to confront an uncomfortable truth. The stark divergence in their credentials will have shown us how our choices, as voters, have deteriorated.