Lost in the Pacific
THE investigations that are ongoing in the Senate and in the House of Representatives have taken over our daily lives.
There is almost nothing in mainstream news and in social media that is being as passionately discussed, with friends becoming foes, and foes becoming even worse enemies.
Everything, then, has become about fighting, not just between the principals, but also among their followers, and so many others who may or may not be directly or indirectly involved. There is a nationwide riot, so to speak.
This is good, if and when something will come out of the utter chaos, aside from supposed responsive or reactive legislation.
This is bad, if and when the show will stop and end, but all the shenanigans will continue anyway.
In any case, we have seen and heard our legislators spend hours and hours and days and days on all these congressional investigations.
They ask questions, sometimes obviously leading. They give answers, sometimes even when they should not. They even translate. They also deliver lectures, sometimes sounding like sermons. They likewise argue, debate and badmouth each other, sometimes making everybody wonder whatever happened to good manners and right conduct.
Anyway, because of all the time, effort and money spent on all these public hearings, one cannot help but pray, hope and wish that our leaders spend close, same or more time for the issues, concerns and problems that make our people suffer, struggle and scramble on a daily basis.
Why not investigate with the same vigor the matter of the very high prices of basic commodities - like rice, vegetables, others - that are primarily consumed by the poor?
Why not investigate with the same vitality the matter of the very high charges of utilities - like electricity, water, others - that affect not just common consumers but also local businesses and foreign investors?
Why not investigate with the same fire the matter of the very high costs of health services - medicines, hospitalization, others - that just breaks the hearts of families who cannot afford to heal their sick?
Why not investigate with the same fervor the matter of the very high fees for education - tuition, miscellaneous, others - that prohibits those who are penniless from attempting to go up the ladder of life and kicks out those who have made some steps if and when suddenly they lose their source of income?
Why not investigate, or not investigate but legislate, initiatives, advocacies and enactments relevant to poverty alleviation, technological advancement, disaster resiliency, and a long list of other matters?
If and when our legislators, and other leaders, can give the kind of interest, eagerness and commitment to listen to convicts and criminals who may not yet have been convicted, surely, they can do the same for recognized experts in nation-building, capacity-building, characterbuilding and the like. It is time to give time for other matters, too. Otherwise, we will get lost in the Pacific. Comments are most welcome. Please send them to taipan.millan@mmlaw.com.ph.