Hoopla at the Congress

August 30th, 2005 at 6:55 pm (General, National Politics)

Yesterday afternoon, former DSWD Sec. Dinky Soliman revealed a supposed conspiracy concocted by the administration to pre-empt possible impeachment cases against the president. President Arroyo, aided by Sec. Gabby Claudio, is said to have conspired with Atty. Oliver Lozano to file an unsatisfactory impeachment complaint against her so that it would negate any other succeeding complaints, for a year at least.

Are our lawmakers really stupid or ignorant for them to only realize now that Lozano is the same person who filed the “impeachment” cases against then Vice President Arroyo to pre-empt possible cases against her? Come on! I would like to believe that this is a political ploy rather than stupidity or ignorance.

Because of this, drama ensued in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. The administration representatives tried to quash the speeches, inquiries and arguments regarding the issue raised by Soliman. Meanwhile, the minority, mostly composed of pro-impeachment congressmen, tried (in vain) to bring up the issue and debate on the legitimacy of the Lozano complaint. The administration congressmen, simply wanted things to be over and wanted to hurry straight into voting for or against the impeachment complaints.

When Justice Committee chair, Rep. Datumanong adjourned the session, the minority was angry. They walked out, and as if that wasn’t enough to get their point across, they just had to overdo it, and throw into the air some documents. I even saw several congressmen actually pick up papers already on the floor, just to throw it again into the air.

Of course, right after the walk-out, an impromptu press conference occurred. They were outraged. They were angry. They wanted to stop being party to the alleged moro-moro in the House of Representatives.

The majority bloc meanwhile, proceeded with the Justice Committee session. Imagine my horror when it was revealed that an attendance of only 1/5 is required for the session to have quorum. WHAT?!!! (No wonder congressmen have a penchat for being absent.)

I was thinking that the drama would lead to the indignation of the nation, just like what happened after the opening of the “second envelope” was stopped. But the protests that resulted were more of a whimper than a cry. The minority has vowed not to attend anymore sessions. But then again, at least one of them has stated that they are reconsidering that move. Personally, I think it would be better if they attended. They have made their point and if their walk-out and histrionics didn’t sway the majority, then I don’t think that their not attending could do anything more. Besides, it is their duty, their job to attend these sessions and hearings.

At the most, the hoopla has raised the awareness and interest of the people once again. Whether it would result into anything more than that remains to be seen.

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