Travesty and tragedy

As one of those dismayed by and disgusted with the horse-trading that goes on in the hollow (pun intended) halls of Congress, I wholeheartedly concur with the Inquirer’s June 10 editorial (“Supermajority”). Let me add, however, that the creation of a “supermajority” not only shows “cracks forming on a founding, constitutional principle”; it also shakes it to the core.

This is nothing but a brazen disregard of the principle of the separation of powers and it transforms Congress into a mere rubber stamp of the president. Where, may I ask, did the “tuwid na daan” lead to? Did it suddenly fall apart before the Duterte juggernaut? Is the Liberal Party so hollow that its principles can be blown away like chaff? Its members didn’t even put up a fight.

They could have served as a true minority to hold Rodrigo Duterte in check. If they truly believed in what they were fighting for during the campaign, they would have stood their ground to remind everyone that the “tuwid na daan” is alive and well, that its vision remains true and unwavering, that the fight continues for the freedom and well-being of this nation.

But no—the fat chairmanships and the perks and privileges that go with these positions are too tempting to pass up! And so the LP members gave up moral power—the power to choose what is right and good—in exchange for the crass venality and vested interests of political power.

What a travesty of their party. What a tragedy for this country.

—LESLIE LOFRANCO-BERBANO, Quezon City