Senate ‘live show’

Sooner than later, our honorable Senators will go the way of Taiwanese and Korean parliamentarians in the past who ended up in fistfights and brawls not for honor’s sake but out of pride because too many people were watching their proceedings in the gallery or on national TV.

The stuff that goes on at the Senate and the antics of some Senators are nothing new to Filipinos. We’ve seen one form or another since the Republic was formed and back in the early days personal pride was also often mistaken for honor. But what we did not see as much is “Live coverage” of the investigations and speeches where senators from opposing parties now specialize in being controversial, combative, leading witnesses to their own political conclusion and verbally challenging each other to settle it like men. Sorry boys – thinking men don’t behave as such.

I have long been suggesting that the Senate and Congress completely disallow live coverage of such investigations first because the proceedings can and do prejudice the legal rights of defendants in the lawsuits that follow. If we had the exact same system as the United States, many people who go before the Senate or Congress during live coverage could claim that they have been denied the right to a fair trial as a result of excessive publicity that put them in a bad light or prejudged them as guilty.

We now have a prevailing culture and practice where Senators tactically and intentionally take advantage of the live media coverage to demolish, malign or discredit their political enemies. They actually “get to have their cake and eat it too” because they have the spotlights and microphones on them while badmouthing people in their absence, then they have the power of legislative subpoena that they use on their targets, while they the Senators and members of Congress hide behind the mantle of legislative immunity.

It is time that Senate President Koko Pimentel and Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez to face the ugly truth that things have gotten out of hand and part of the problem is that Congress as a whole has provided the ideal atmosphere for political animosity and grandstanding by allowing “live coverage.” While many media outlets and experts may disagree what is important is that the business of the Senate and Congress carries on with professionalism, focus and results. We need budgets approved on time, we need appointments and recommendations sifted based on qualifications and competence and not because it has become a live show.

If it is too much to demand from legislators to act with maturity and intelligence, at the very least let us remove the catalyst or the drug called “live media coverage” that turns grown men into performing monkeys in a ring.

* * * Speaking of monkeys in a ring, some lawyers and law firms seem to have the idea that the media is there for them to use as they abuse and scandalize cases and enemies in court. Far too often we hear or read about the lurid details involving couples fighting over properties, families squabbling over an estate, or threats about exposing “secrets” unless an adversary agrees to settle in court.

Quite recently I heard about how a “lawyer” threatened a litigant that more embarrassing information will be leaked out to the Press if they don’t agree to settle. I for one have been on the receiving end of such a message that suggested that embarrassing details concerning a family member might leak out unless an amicable settlement is reached. How the hell can any self-respecting lawyer call it amicable settlement when you use threat, scandal and intimidation to solicit the end result?

Unfortunately, scandal and intimidation are now common practice among lawyers especially for moneyed or high profile clients. It is one thing for the litigants to go into the case with sheer hatred for each other, but WHY do lawyers have to join in, fuel the fight through scandalizing publicity and press conferences and then have the temerity to say that they have more for the media. One lawyer even shares technical points of a proceeding via email as if the media was party to the case. Competent lawyers take their case to the courts not to media or the public. The first part of their title is LAW for lawyers. If you can’t win on Law and merit, you are not a Lawyer – you are a fixer.

I don’t know if any of my brothers and sisters in the profession have spoken out, but I condemn this disgusting presumption and shameless practice of using the media as manure spreaders or as step stools to notoriety and recognition. It is unbelievable and disappointing that the various associations and authorities tasked to monitor and discipline errant lawyers have not even spoken out against the shameless, underhanded, and scandalous actions of such home wreckers. Begin to police your own before someone else does.

* * * When DOH acting Secretary Pauline Ubial goes for her confirmation hearing, I would be interested to know if she has plans to build more public hospitals or encourage such. I know that President Duterte wants more hospitals for our men in uniform but what about affordable public hospitals?

The Aquino administration made the mistake of believing the snake charmers who pushed for privatization. That is one fat lie that will make public health progressively impossible and unaffordable. Since the Aquinos kicked out the Marcoses, no administration has embarked on a massive construction of health facilities as Imelda Marcos did. Members of Congress keep giving out LG or “letters of grant” to sick constituents but have not moved collectively for more hospitals to be built. The volume overwhelms existing public hospitals and to make matters worse, their pharmacies always run dry due to procurement inefficiencies and lack of funds. Metro Manila needs more hospitals and we need them now! This is a bigger priority than other infra projects.

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