We need more than political noise

There have recently taken place some humiliating scenes in the otherwise hallowed halls of the Philippine Senate. I perceived such events as not quite unlike the settings of William Shakespeare’s most acknowledged political tragedy. Yes, “Julius Caesar” was considered as Shakespeare’s accurate study in sizzling political intrigue, debilitating reputation and the dangers of tyranny and conspiracy. The recent Senate incidents became modern “Julius Caesar”. I wanted to pour my thoughts on such shameful episodes (as have been shown in television news coverages and thousands of social media posts) but since all known legal minds, academicians, commentators, writers, and everyone else hereabouts have already expressed their disgust on witnessing the senators’ display of utter unstatesmanship, the article will not be in the nature of this column’s off tangent. My insignificant opinion will not add anything to our nation’s collective feeling of dishonor.

I have decided to veer away my sight from such ugly and degrading spectacles in Senate. The reason is more personal than professional. Many revered principles that I taught in Law school for about 40 years have been desecrated by some of our lawmakers’ actions and words. It’s good that I have retired from teaching Law because I don’t know how to reconcile good theories and questionable moves.

There’s an unfolding scenario equally disastrous to whatever horror is continuing to unravel in the Senate. This is environmental. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has forecast that a strong El Niño is highly likely to affect the Philippines, including Cebu City. I use the words “unfolding scenario” above because only last month, April, PAGASA gave a prediction of a 79% chance of an El Niño event likely to emerge around June to August this year. Accordingly, the initial phase might be moderate to strong. Lately though, PAGASA issued a more daunting forecast of a strong possibility of the weather intensifying into a "Super El Niño" in the fourth quarter of 2026, meaning the months of October thru December even into early 2027. I also used the word “horror” because our weather bureau projected El Niño to impact our entire country with drier-than-usual conditions, potential droughts, and severe heat.

I hope that our leaders will cast aside the theatrics of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, and just forget him as a fugitive from law, treat the dramatics of Senator Robinhood Padilla as simply unintelligible impertinence coming from a pardoned criminal convict, listen to the rhetoric of Senator Rodante Marcoleta, as attempts to mislead us from his perceived Machiavellian strategies, consider the claims by Senator Imee  Marcos that her brother, the president, ordered the arrest of Bato as unsubstantiated Marites, and accept the pronouncements of Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano as palatable propaganda to serve as a cover-up to his greedy power grab.

Our leaders need to channel their minds into preparing our country for the forecast environmental disaster. June is less than a month away. For example: Where and how do we find water for the most basic needs of our people? Bisag para inom ug kaligo lang. I certainly hope to listen to any discussion of our government leaders on a plan to provide potable water to thirsty Filipinos. And let me talk about the water from Lusaran river dam because it flows by my small garden plot in the mountain. When Typhoon Tino came, the water from Lusaran rampaged and brought damage and death to people along its flood wake. But, I don’t have any technical knowledge why it has become but a trickle. My farmer neighbors in Barangay Paril cannot anymore pump water from its shallow river bed. Can our officials save it?

These and more are the discussions I want to hear from our responsible leaders. I’m sure our countrymen deserve meaningful talks and attendant actions rather than political noise.