The Senate is not a movie or a variety show
The initial returns, partial and unofficial, have it the Senate will again be a virtual movie production studio.
There have been too many movie and TV personalities in the Senate and in the House since Rogelio dela Rosa, of Sampaguita Pictures, the matinee idol of the ‘50s and the ‘60s, as well as since Eddie Ilarde of the famed Student Canteen variety show of the ‘70s, joined the Philippine Senate. From that time on, the Upper House of Congress was never the same. The entry of movie and TV personalities had been the game changer. They were the original disruptors of what lawmaking and legislation should be.
From that time, all kinds of “second-rate, trying-hard copycats” (to borrow Cherrie Gil's immortal line in “Bituing Walang Ningning”) invaded the Senate, and transformed it into a virtual variety show. It is high time that we rid the Senate of jokers and nincompoops.
This isn’t to say actors and matinee idols shouldn’t run for public office. This is just to raise the inevitable issues. Are they competent in legislation? Do they have the basic instruction and training on lawmaking? What can they bring to the Senate to add value to the discourses, debates, and discussions? Are they well-versed on foreign affairs, international law and diplomacy? What do they know of parliamentary procedures and protocols? If elected would they just rely heavily on consultants?
The Senate used to be the domain of such great men like Claro M. Recto, Jose P. Laurel, Jose W. Diokno, Lorenzo Tañada, Arturo Tolentino, Ambrocio Padilla, Jovito Salonga, Emmanuel Pelaez, Raul Manglapus, Manuel Manahan, Francisco Rodrigo, and Blas F. Ople, and women as Geronima Pecson, Pacita Gonzales, Maria Kalaw Katigbak, Eva Estrada Kalaw, Tecla San Andres Ziga, Letecia Ramos Shahani, Helena Benitez, Santanina Razul, and the greatest of them all, Miriam Defensor Santiago. Today, basketball players, boxers, TV announcers, comedians, action stars, and matinee idols are called honorable senators. I want to cry for our country and people.
There are more qualified candidates than Bong Revilla, Jinggoy Estrada, Grace Poe, Lito Lapid, and Freddie Aguilar. If they win then they shall join Manny Pacquiao, Tito Sotto, Joseph Erap Estrada, Ramon Revilla Sr., Robert Jaworski, Noli de Castro, and many others. Like the actors, the Senate has become the haven for retiring generals and sons of famous preachers. There are so many luminaries and icons of wisdom who are more qualified for that august body. If Filipino voters persist in electing these kinds of candidates then they forfeit the right to question why our nation is a mess.
If we continue electing “second-rate, trying-hard copycats” then we should not complain about the mess we have. We should just grin and blame ourselves. We deserve the Senate we elected and should keep our mouths shut. The Senate is like the old Sampaguita Pictures, home of matinee idols and action stars, comedians, and jesters who know nothing about legislation. I want to fly to the moon.
- Latest
