My ‘senatoriables’

Vesting legislative power on senators elected nationwide and Congressmen chosen by district and through a party-list system really has advantages. Ideally, as envisioned perhaps by the framers of our Constitution, the bicameral set-up assures quality legislations since there are two bodies which carefully study the proposed bills both from the nationwide perspective and from the narrower district-wide viewpoint. Besides, having two legislative bodies contributes to a more effective functioning of the checks and balances principle especially in a presidential system like ours where the balance of power apparently tilts more heavily towards the Executive Department.

When they opted for bicameralism, the framers of our Charter perhaps sincerely believed that from the august halls of the Upper Chamber or the Senate usually emerges the next president of the country since it consists of men and women chosen nationwide because of their wisdom, leadership and statesmanship. They had in mind then that the 24 member body would produce another Quezon, Osmeña, Roxas, Soliven, Recto, Laurel, Tañada, Amang Rodriguez, Osias, Sumulong, Soc Rodrigo, Imay Pecson, Padilla, Diokno or Ninoy Aquino. With such kind of a Senate, the huge amount of taxpayers’ money spent for each senator every year as found by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism would really be worth it.

Now, just 17 years after the passage of the charter, it is becoming quite obvious that the Charter makers did not foresee the kind of senate we are going to have when they opted for bicameralism. The senate of today is undeniably a far cry from the senate of yesteryears. But for a few, none of the present crop of senators could equal the stature of those great men and women who once graced the upper chamber of Congress. Thus the clamor for unicameralism is intensifying. With the current crop of senators and those now vying for the senate, people are realizing that it is more economical, money-wise and work-wise, to abolish that erstwhile training ground for the presidency and have just one legislative chamber. Unfortunately, the shift to a unicameral system cannot be done overnight as it needs amendment of the charter that remains debatable up to now.

But there’s still a chance in the coming elections to restore the old glory that once belonged to the senate. Let us choose only the most qualified candidates in terms of integrity, proven competence, experience in public service, wisdom and with the best interest of the country and the common good at heart. Right now, I can only list six of them: Mar Roxas, Heherson Alvarez, Dick Gordon, Nene Pimentel, Robert Barbers, and Alfredo Lim.

I really would like to see Alvarez back in the Senate. He has already served the people as Senator for two terms contributing a lot in the promotion of social justice, agrarian reform and environmental protection. But more than his previous record of exemplary service to the country, I am voting for him as senator mainly because he is batting for the creation of a Philippine Cancer Institute to specifically provide a more comprehensive health care for poor cancer victims. Cancer is indeed a growing menace that needs to be addressed immediately before it becomes the number one killer disease in the country. And Alvarez is the only senatorial candidate who has presented a plan in this regard. It shows his preferential option for the poor. He should be in the winning list even if he is running as an independent.

Indeed I can only name six candidates so far in my slate. It is really hard to complete the list. But if we must, don’t be influenced by the endorsement of any religious sect which merely relies on survey results to prove their clout by backing candidates already surveyed as "winners". Also, just don’t include those who were part of the oppressive, corrupt, immoral and rapacious regimes of the past that forced the people to resort to extreme measures of staging EDSA I and EDSA II. They are easily identifiable. They voted "no" in the impeachment of the former president and one even has a pending plunder case. Keep the flickering hopes burning that our senate will not be infested by these candidates even if they appear to be in the magic twelve. E-mail: [email protected]