EDITORIAL - House probing killings like pot investigating kettle

In a different time, people, particularly Cebuanos, would be jumping up and down on hearing a congressional inquiry is being proposed to look into the continuing summary executions of suspected criminals allegedly by vigilantes.

As of the last count, a total of already 103 killings have been attributed to vigilantes in less than a year since the murders began, and while the victims were mostly so-called dregs of society, their extrajudicial executions do not sit well with democratic sensibilities.

And of course these killings have to be investigated, especially since they have not been investigated at all. Indeed, pronouncements by some officials tend to suggest the killings are, in fact, being encouraged. But for the matter to be investigated by Congress at this time is not a welcome gesture and development. If anything, it should be avoided at all cost (more so that the cost will have to be borne eventually by hapless taxpayers).

Decades ago, when the conduct of many members of both houses of Congress were still guided by lofty principles and democratic ideals, a congressional inquiry comes as an assurance that an issue was going to get proper ventilation and hearing.

Not so anymore. If anything, the only assurance that a congressional hearing can convey to people is the certainty of an issue to get muddled, by the ignorance of those conducting the hearing, and be turned into a circus, by the clear political motivations of the participants.

Even if there is a flicker of sincerity in some of those calling for the hearings, the track record of such undertakings in the recent past leaves little or no room for confidence to take root in the public. Without public confidence, the whole endeavor will end up being both a waste and a sham. So why press on with an activity that is certain to have no meaningful, practical and beneficial value to anyone in the end? The only viable option left for anyone to dare to hope is if some perceptively independent and efficient law enforcement agency (if such an animal even still exists in this country) comes up with the evidence and brings to court the killers.