Focus on work, not ‘demolition’

As the Commission on Appointments starts their work on filtering nominees for government positions such as Cabinet secretaries, promotions of MUPs of military and police officials, the general impression is that senators and members of Congress will be out to draw blood, cause embarrassment or simply impress their power and authority over nominees and candidates.

Last Monday, I was at a dinner party attended by fellow columnists and PR professionals and businessmen, and they talked about incoming DA Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Laurel. The general impression was that he would be in for a beating and his principal tormentor would be Senator Cynthia Villar, who authored and pushed for the Rice Tariffication Law or RTL and who views the DA’s past performance as disappointing.

At an earlier event, the talk was about how another senator, Risa Hontiveros, allegedly had a bad impression on the management of the National Food Authority and how Hontiveros might also treat the NFA in an adversarial manner. This unfortunately might end up being a case of punishing the innocent for the sins of the past.

I have yet to hear about what Congress or Senate intends to do about the BAI or Bureau of Animal Industry, considering how their lack of initiative and action has led to the decimation of the Philippine hog industry as a result of ASF. While this also falls under Secretary Laurel’s responsibilities, fair play dictates that we don’t pin the blame on this Laurel, since he has yet to be confirmed by the CA before he can do his job!

Reflecting on the history of the Commission on Appointments, no one can argue the fact and general impression that hearings and interviews of the CA have been combative, accusatory and “investigative” and adversarial. One gets the impression that nominees are treated with suspicion, almost with a presumption of guilt, assumption of incompetence or simply bullied by those who have the power to delay or hold a person in contempt.

It is unfortunate that Congress and the Senate do not have an independent ombudsman who can call legislators out rather than be humiliated by Supreme Court decisions on abuse of authority or violating the check and balance of government or freedom of the press.

What makes the whole thing worse is the fact that in many cases, those going in front of the CA are being blamed for someone else’s sin or blunder. Yes, it is the right of the CA to ask what the competencies and plans of incoming officials or agencies are, but it is an injustice that reaches the high heavens to whip the horse for a race that was lost by another team.

Even the Bible teaches us that the sins of the father should not be visited upon the son and even former senator Miriam Defensor Santiago cited the very verse when she came in defense of PBBM when she was still alive. Having pointed this out, I have to ask: Is it possible for members of the Commission on Appointments to lay down the tone, character and goal of their hearings and interviews?

If we could simply agree that an appearance before the CA is essentially an expanded model of a “job interview,” perhaps our honorable legislators could display professionalism, sincere courtesy and respect for “guests” and a deep desire to collaborate with candidates and agencies to arrive at milestones or major goals and not beat up on “employees.”

Whatever the personal agenda or vested interests among members of the CA maybe, nothing stops participants from being civil and decent, particularly our elected officials who never have to undergo humiliation, intimidation or establish their credentials and competence before a similar body.

At the very least, CA members should prepare and conduct themselves in a manner that is conducive to the positive exchange of information and ideas. With easy access to social media platforms as well as YouTube, I have unintentionally been coming across more and more posts and features on the arrogant, combative behavior and speech of congressmen, often portrayed in a negative light.

A number of congressmen have now become “bullies” in the eyes of the younger generation and among young women and at this rate, their growing unpopularity would cause the early demise of their political careers. I can only pray that given their age and public engagements, humility becomes a preferred lifestyle over arrogance and contemptuous conduct. Yes, those who love to threaten people for contempt of Congress have slowly become contemptuous themselves.

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While driving our guests from the Netherlands around Metro Manila I arrived at the conclusion that for tourists, the scenery was a sight that could cause sore eyes.

Starting at the Santa Monica Bridge from Barrio Kapitolyo going to BGC, the bridge was full of litter from end to end, drawing the word “Dirty.” Then we got into Kalayaan Avenue and the volume of illegally parked cars, street vendors, as well as garbage made the short strip outside the BGC embarrassing for us. But that was not the worst.

We decided to drive from EDSA to Roxas Boulevard all the way to Port Area, around Intramuros, back to the Cultural Center Complex, the Seascape seafood complex and back to Manila Hotel. This was a Sunday and the intersections and stretches of roads featured all sorts of people of different ages, all begging for money or food. It was so bad and embarrassing, we ran out of coins and small bills that we ended up giving away our take home food.

Where and what are the DSWD and the PNP and MMDA doing about the proliferation of beggars, mendicants and hustlers in the streets of Metro Manila? Maybe the DILG should also call out the local officials, especially those tolerating the takeover of Kalayaan Avenue.

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