EDITORIAL - Committee on public disorder

Members of several committees of the House of Representatives came prepared to preen for the cameras yesterday, but poorly prepared for the sensitive task they were undertaking. There seemed to be no rules for conducting the inquiry into the clashes on Jan. 25 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, which left 44 police Special Action Force commandos dead.

Rudeness reigned throughout much of the session, between congressmen and their invited “resource persons” and among the congressmen themselves. Some of the lawmakers scolded rather than asked questions. Several congressmen hurled questions at the top of their voices. The absence of decorum was notable from start to finish, when the lawmakers heatedly argued over the proper moment to adjourn the session that seemed more like an inquisition rather than a hearing ostensibly to craft legislation.

Anyone who had watched the two days devoted by the Senate to ferret out what happened in Mamasapano could only be dismayed by the conduct of the parallel probe by the House committees spearheaded by the one on public order and safety. It was like watching a cheap rerun of the Senate inquiry. All that was missing was for the House members to come to blows, as in certain parliaments abroad.

The conduct of the House inquiry has raised concern over the capability of the lawmakers to handle sensitive security information that may be given in a forthcoming executive session. Some of those authorized to ask questions yesterday openly showed hostility to the government and particularly to members of the military and police, and appeared interested merely in promoting their causes on national television.

Coordination has become a buzzword in the ongoing probe of what happened in Mamasapano. It’s a word that the House panel members themselves will find useful if they plan to continue their probe. A smidgen of courtesy will also help.