Militant women groups come to Jamby defense

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Jamby Madrigal is not sorry for invoking Section 20 of the Senate Rules that blocked the confirmation of 24 military officials by the Commission on Appointments (CA).

Her office released statements by Karapatan and Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Liza Maza that lashed back at the senator’s critics for their “sexist” and vile remarks against her.

In fact, Karapatan said Madrigal must be commended for her action because she fulfilled her duty as a member of the powerful CA “against scandalous or unworthy executive designations and promotions.”

Maza, in her statement, said it was “disconcerting” that legitimate arguments against the promotion and confirmation of staunch allies of the Arroyo administration could be reduced to “name-calling and labeling of women who hold strong opinions.”

“These sort of sexist remarks are no different from centuries-old labels on staunch women fighters who were condemned as madwomen or witches,” Maza said.

Senators and congressmen in the CA ganged up on Madrigal last March 12 for her “wholesale” invocation of Section 20 stopping the confirmation of 24 military officials when Congress was ready to go into recess.

The congressmen, in particular, deplored her action as they lambasted her for alleging that military officials were corrupting the House contingent to get their confirmation.

There were many other criticisms hurled against Madrigal for her supposed “whimsical” and “capricious” use of Section 20. Some senators said the rule must be amended so that members of the CA would not be able to abuse it.

Section 20 of the Senate rules states: “Any member may move for the suspension of action by the commission on any nomination or appointment favorably recommended by a standing committee and the chairman shall suspend the consideration of said nomination or appointment: Provided, that such suspension may be taken up on the next succeeding session of the commission; Provided, further, that this section shall not apply to nominations or appointments taken up by the commission during the last session prior to an adjournment of Congress.”

Some congressmen threatened to bring the case to the Senate ethics committee as they lambasted Madrigal for having a mouth faster than her brain. 

Maza said Madrigal received countless sexist remarks made in bad taste after the senator invoked Section 20 of the Senate rules, thereby blocking the appointment of the generals.

Some of the military generals were quoted as saying: “Kayo kasi, ayaw ninyong ligawan, may asim pa naman (It’s your fault, you don’t want to court her when she still has appeal)” and “buang gyud ning bayhana ni (this woman is crazy).”

But Karapatan stressed Madrigal’s “action deserves commendation from the public whose interests the CA members ought to have in mind when confirming appointments.”

“All too often, promotions and appointments for generals and presidential appointees are a breeze in the CA. We may as well remember when the CA confirmed the promotion of notorious human rights violator (military) Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr. despite protests and pending cases,” the group said.

“It is understandable that some CA members and senior military officers whose promotion was deferred would be irate because they were not able to easily get what they wanted. Their slanderous statements made against the lady senator, however, is not beyond reproach,” it added.

Madrigal said her critic’s use of argumentum ad hominem (Latin for argument against the person) was an indication they realized that Madrigal’s argument was correct and could not be refuted. 

“After all, is it not only fair that the CA make Gen. Nehemias Pajarito accountable to the public for his alleged involvement in the ‘Hello, Garci’ (cheating) scandal or Brig. Gen. Jonathan Martir for his AWOL (absence without leave) status in the past?” Karapatan asked.

“The higher position they get the more they should practice accountability. The CA must make the appointees explain satisfactorily to the public,” it stressed.