I take my hat off and salute two honorable congressmen who kept intact their moral values, honor and self-respect by refusing to sign the Articles of Impeachment against Chief Justice Renato Corona. Such gallant feat should not pass unnoticed.
I am referring to Representatives Tobias Tiangco of Navotas and Hermilando Mandanas of Batangas, both of whom have chosen to resign from the ruling majority coalition. That, vis-à-vis all the other pro-administration congressmen very proudly admitting (as if it’s a great honor) not having read what they had signed. What gall and brazen boldness coupled with impudent insolence!
It is truly pathetic that behaviors such as this one among our so-called honorable (?) representatives of the people have long been the prevailing rule of the game inside the “no-longer-august” halls of Congress—where, alas, truths or untruths and delicadeza do not matter anymore, only the pork barrel fund does. If these are not unmistakable signs that the executive has “occupied” the legislative—well, at least the House of Representatives—I cannot imagine what else could be. May God forbid the “occupation” to eventually reach the relatively still-august halls of the Senate, otherwise this country will really go to the dogs.
Of course, President Aquino hastened to deny that Mandanas’ refusal to sign the Articles of Impeachment against Corona was the reason the chairmanship of the congressional committee on ways and means was immediately removed from him. You tell that to the Marines, Mr. President! Aren’t you aware that your (and your spokespersons’) denials and/or explanations on various public issues have always been suspect as to timing and taken by many with a sack of salt?
—DR. BASILIO
“BUTCH” B. AMBIDA,
bootsambida@yahoo.com