In the midst of too much national turmoil, when the country is figuratively on fire, and the ship of the State is in danger of sinking, concerned Cebuanos are wondering why are the honorable members of both the House and the Senate, from this illustrious province and city, are so mysteriously silent. Their silence is deafening. Why? What is the meaning of it all? Are they for or against? For whom and against what? Or, are they playing it cool and safe in their comfort zones? Not rocking the boat, huh?
It is the greatest irony, that when the people expect their deputies in Congress to help mold a national opinion on the burning issues of the day, the voice, the lonely (albeit strong) voice that was heard was that of the venerable octogenarian, the legal eagle, from the forgotten second district of Cebu, Atty. Pabling Garcia. His booming voice reverberated not just in the Lower House, where he used to be the Deputy Speaker, but in the august halls of the Senate. But where are the incumbents when the nation awaits their stand?
Their silence, amidst far too many issues of grave national concern, speaks volumes, and the people could only speculate. This is a rare moment in history that Cebuano legislators are developing a rare habit of meekness, so uncharacteristic of their illustrious predecessors, men and women like the Cuencos, the Osmeñas, the Sottos, the Gullases, the Zosas, the Kintanars, and even the passionate Jun Davide and Marcelo Fernan in the Batasan days. Today, only Congressman Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro is carrying the ball for Visayan-speaking representative.
Of course, it could be argued that to be in Congress is not merely talking but doing. That was the trademark of the great Maximino Noel of Carcar when he represented what used to be the third district, now the first. But today, even the doing is not very clear to the people. To be a Congressman is essentially to legislate, to file bills of national and local relevance, to file resolutions and to be active in committee and plenary debates and deliberations. There is no clear indication, we are sorry to say, and with all due respect, that our representatives are doing well in such dimensions.
The sage tells us that there are two weaknesses of men: To speak when it is time to be silent, and to be silent when it is time to speak. I have never heard any Cebuano member of this Congress speaking these days especially when the raging tides of controversial issues call for them to make a stand.