Congressional inquiries horrifying, trivialized

Retired commissioner Bartolome C. Fernandez Jr., a legal eagle in his own right and one of the best minds that ever walked the corridors of the Commission on Audit (COA), is pointblank correct in saying that, “Legislative inquiry is but a fact-finding exercise” (Opinion, 11/22/14).

This well-crafted critique on the so-called “congressional inquiries or investigations in aid of legislation” is a must-read for the members of Congress, particularly the senators, most of whom seem to need enlightenment on how to exercise objectively their legislative power of inquiry.

To paraphrase the opening salvo of Fernandez, with his kind indulgence, I myself am also critical of the manner by which our politicians/legislators conduct themselves in the course of congressional investigations. Feeling comfortably ensconced in the protective armor of parliamentary immunity, and ever-conscious of the TV cameras constantly focused on their faces, they cannot for a minute resist the urge of “grand-acting” for the gallery and TV audience.

What horrifies me and raises my blood pressure is the way resource persons or experts are treated in the course of congressional hearings. If and when committee members dislike a resource person or his/her answer to the question posed to him/her, he/she is—to borrow the words of Fernandez in the past tense—browbeaten, badgered, harassed, irritated, insulted, humiliated, defamed, threatened, intimidated and embarrassed, in full view of the gallery and people watching the proceedings on TV.

I recall with misgiving that episode when resource persons and experts from the COA were bamboozled, excoriated and belittled when they gave answers not to the liking of the overbearing committee member. The foul-mouthed, vulgarities-inclined and obviously unrefined member of the august chamber even had the gall to recommend that the resource persons from the COA be sanctioned by their superiors. If members of the august chamber cannot be dictated on what to do, so should members of the independent COA. In fact, as provided for by law, it is the duty of every person to accord due respect to the independence of the commission.

Over and above the seemingly trivialized congressional investigations in aid of legislation (kuno) is the very alarming emergence of “ratters” or so-called whistle-blowers, who are defined as contemptible persons who desert or betray their associates, or partners-in-crime. Or those who sell their soul for the color of money. Is this a reenactment of that sordid tale when a follower kissed and betrayed his master in exchange for the proverbial 30 pieces of silver? To put it bluntly, are we aware that congressional hearings are, wittingly or unwittingly, becoming a fertile breeding ground for Judas Iscariots in the modern times of selfies? Just asking.

—SANCHO “SONNY” CACERES,

retired state auditor and

former editor, Coariva and Ariva Newsletters,

COA Regional Office 4, Quezon City