Fixations

One of the first declarations of Rodrigo Roa Duterte as President-elect back in May 2016 was for legislators to respect the rights of witnesses at congressional hearings. For someone with, at times, a tenuous respect for human rights, this persnickety fixation with a witnesses’ peace and comfort is quite unexpected.

But, there you have it, PRRD did it again, in the wake of the Senate appearance of Secretary Christopher “Bong” Go, saying that invited witnesses should be treated with respect. Be treated unfairly, you walk out. If necessary, brave detention for contempt of Congress. It was actually more of a threat as he promised to personally spring any of his men subjected to congressional hectoring.

On the surface, this may sound like a justifiable lament. After all, the Constitution does admonish that the rights of witnesses should be respected. When spoken by the President, however, the adverse effect on the potency of Congressional oversight is profound. It’s as if the President’s men are being told to ignore their obligation to account for how they spend government money or execute the laws of the land.

The information gathering function of hearings is the most critical adjunct of the legislative process. Without data, our representatives cannot carve the necessary policies to facilitate our better existence.

While dignity is to be protected, its thresholds in invited witnesses cannot be too unpardonably low. Legislation is not played in children’s playgrounds. Sometimes, feathers have to be ruffled and onion skin flayed in the name of ferreting out the elusive truth

Death of deliberation. Republican US Senator John McCain, his party’s revered elder statesman, stood up from his sick bed and struck a death blow to the repeal of OBAMACARE. McCain could not abide by the way the bill reached the voting stage. It was basically strong armed by the republican majority. In a nod to deliberativeness, the legendary Senator called for a return to the regular order – genuine debate which required consideration of conflicting views in order to come up with lasting solutions.

The same observation may be made of Philippine legislation. Lately, plenary debates have become virtually nil. If allowed at all, it is carefully managed and virtually choked to death at the first sign of any real or extended discourse from antagonists. 

Where we differ with the more mature Western Legislatures is when the party dictates even conscience votes like the death penalty and, expected soon, the seismic divorce bill. More in next week’s column.

Digital fixations. Studies have shown that people on smart phones check them on the average 221x a day (Tecmark UK survey). Even those with no digital existence – no facebook, instagram etc. and the non digital natives (like you and me) - can’t resist the lure of checking phones for emails and messages. We like to stay connected. The internet is the great enabler.

The internet blitzkrieg affects us all deeply. It has had a multiplier effect on the potential for advancement. We have the wisdom of the ages in our phones. But with the forward steps come the backward falls. The internet has an equal if not greater propensity to serve as portals to unleash our baser selves. It’s the classic use, misuse, abuse reality.

Worrisome are the truths emerging from UNICEF’s reports. Each day that passes, over 175,000 children go online for the first time in their lives. One in three internet users worldwide is a minor. The painful truth is that when children use the internet, they are in harm’s way. Their activities online expose their information trails to the unscrupulous.

Not enough is being done by government to make the internet experience more wholesome. At home, what are we doing to teach our children to safely and productively navigate this new digital world when we ourselves are in unfamiliar territory?

These premises should inform the initiatives considered by policy makers, starting with CHED sponsored seminars on the responsible use of social media. The private sector has not been complacent. The Philippine STAR, through its Digitalino news literacy program, joins the discussion on how to discern the truth from available online information. The Department of Education can also develop a curriculum for digital awareness. With their links to parents, the entire family may be included in their outreach campaigns.

Pro Bonum Publicum. Last January, NEDA Director General Ernesto Pernia declared that TRAIN ensures a steady revenue flow to finance the agressive infrastructure program. This week, Sec. Pernia comes out with the mea culpa acknowledging that shortfalls in collection may require a rethink of its financing schemes. Train is only good for payroll according to Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto: revenues raised will mostly go toward payment of the pay hike promised the police. The TRAIN has hardly left the station and its already running out of gas. 

“Where is the Train heading?” As a public service, the Ateneo Law Alumni Association Inc. (ALAAI) is sponsoring a seminar to shed light on this conundrum. On March 8, 2018. 2 p.m. at the Ateneo Professional Schools in Rockwell, Ateneo Law stalwarts Eunie Mata-Perez, deputy president of Asia-Oceana Tax Consultants Association and BIR Deputy Commissioner Marissa O. Cabreros (also of NUS and Harvard) enlighten concerned stakeholders on the challenges posed to the private sector and the gray areas of the law from government’s perspective. Prof. Tranquil Salvador III serves as moderator. Former BIR Deputy Commissioner Estrella Sales is the seminar project head. Proceeds go to the ALAAI’s Jail decongestion project and legal aid mission. For inquiries, contact the ALAAI office at (02) 5110955.

May Himala. Today, tomorrow and on its final weekend March 3 and 4, 9 Works Theatrical and the Sandbox collective present the musical stage play by Ricky Lee and Vincent De Jesus, Himala. Do yourselves a favor. Escape, recharge. Go to the theater and experience Himala, one of the best productions to ever grace the Philippine stage. Authentic talent, soul searing words and music, masterful direction. Just the unadorned essentials. To me, an afternoon well spent.