In the event of an Arroyo exit - Part Two

Former UP President Vicente Singco, in his book on Philippine Political law, characterized the members of the upper house of our legislature by writing that "senators are expected to approach national problems from the viewpoint of what is more desirable to the whole country rather than what is best merely to a province or region". The last edition of that book might have come off the press before I finished elementary, but the principle is very much alive today as it was in the year of its publication, 1962. There is no better proof of the vibrancy of that theory than the fact that until today we continue to have a senate cramped with intellectuals and nationalists aside of course from some few clowns.

Indeed, we assume that the senators, by attending to the needs of legislating for the entire country and not just for a particular congressional district, have a broader perspective than our congressmen. In so functioning, they also touch base with their people from the different regions and perforce, they have to balance whatever diverging interests there may be. This special experience brings the senators a step closer to the presidency. Many of the things the president dwells on are also within the ambit of the information which senators get from their respective leaders throughout the land. In fact, Manila Mayor Atienza, is correct, quite ironically, in his increasing harangue against the senate for its members' "pretending to be presidents".

Her Excellency, Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo survived a series of storms initially generated by the "Hello Garci" tapes primarily because of the perceived dearth of a viable successor. In the continuing social ruckus where segments of our society have, in sizeable numbers, been surveyed to have sentiments against the president, they point to the unavailability of a presidential successor. Most of them have, rightly or wrongly, found in the vice president a paucity of administrative experience and lack of academic credentials for which reason, they would rather leave the palace to Pres. Arroyo.

That being the case, the words of Singco, quoted above, come into play. Amongst the senators, are few men who, in spite of not having announced or demonstrated any presidential ambition, have the name, character and preparations to lead us, in the eventuality of the president's resignation from office.

Senators Ramon Magsaysay Jr., and Sergio Osmeña III, to those who understand our political history, come from descent lineage. Their famous parents were associated with good governance and from whose integrity sprang the fountain of moral leadership. Magsaysay's father, if all accolades were reduced to writing, happened to be the best-loved president of our race. It is this giant shadow of his father that makes the incumbent Sen. Magsaysay deliberate in his moves, calculated in his decisions and circumspect in his actions.

Take the case of his senate committee's inquiry into the "fertilizer scam". He did not start with wild accusations. Pursuing a legislative measure freed from the ways of the corrupt, he proceeded with great regard of everyone else's right. Yet, when he noticed that his committee's inquiry was leading to the corridors of power, he did not vacillate. He showed to us that his fealty to service stood higher than his liaison to his political party. It is not unknown to us that in so performing, he strained his relationship with the executive. Really, Sen. Magsaysay appeared undaunted by the circumstance of power. In other words, he showed character, one that is not easily bent by the pressure of politics.

We also witnessed, the television interview, the other day, of our very own Sen. Serge Osmeña. His words apparently reflected the kind of idealism, which he displayed early in his stint with the senate. Right, there were times when he exposed some of the unhealthy deals of the high and mighty knowing that the consequences would, as they, obviously, did, bring him to situations incompatible to personal gains. He showed that he was unfazed by the possibility of losing some privileges as long as the interests of the greater majority were promoted.

If Singco were alive today and asked to exemplify any senator that would correspond to his earlier characterization, he would probably point to the persons of Senators Magsaysay Jr. and Osmeña III.