[Rappler Investigates] Best actress award goes to…

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From an institution that was once venerated for the integrity and intelligence of its members, it has degenerated into a literal theater of the absurd

The Senate has never been this egregious, if not tragically hilarious. From an institution that was once venerated for the integrity and intelligence of its members, it has degenerated into a literal theater of the absurd.

Consider the most recent events that provide rich material for satirists and stand-up comics. If you recall, the first act opened with a coup in the Senate that resulted in the ouster of then-Senate president Tito Sotto and his replacement by the kneeling-and-bible-quoting Alan Peter Cayetano.

This was followed by a tough-talking former police chief who fled, sans dignity, from agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) whom he feared would arrest him for crimes against humanity. He stumbled, almost flailing on the stairs, and like a cry baby complained about slight cuts and other injuries he sustained. His name is Bato dela Rosa — no solid rock to speak of, considering that his cuts are nothing compared to the numerous gunshot wounds inflicted on victims of extrajudicial killings carried out by policemen under him.

Then an exchange of gunshots by government forces on opposite sides of the political fence — one group led by the former sergeant-at-arms named Mao, assigned to secure the Senate from intruders, and the NBI tasked to implement an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) because, well, the Philippine National Police (PNP) could not be trusted enough to arrest one of its own.

On May 14, Dela Rosa, aided by action star-cum-senator Robin Padilla, escaped from the Senate in the wee hours of the morning. Just like in the movies, reporter Patrick Cruz who has been assigned to the Senate, will attest to.

Are there legal sanctions for abetting this escape? Justice reporter Jairo Bolledo asked some lawyers, and he was told, yes. Plain and simple “obstruction of justice,” said former Supreme Court justice Antonio Carpio. There is no debate to be had over the validity of the ICC warrant, which was confirmed by the Hague court itself. Our own Supreme Court has already junked the petition of Dela Rosa to block the ICC warrant. And there also exists a local law, Republic Act No. 9851, that allows the government to surrender suspects to international courts such as the ICC.

In short, there’s no longer any legal hindrance to the PNP (under Jonvic Remulla’s Department of the Interior and Local Government) arresting Dela Rosa — assuming of course that the Chief Executive is in agreement. Is he or isn’t he? His tea leaves are swirling in a confused fashion and he can’t seem to make up his mind. If you’re looking for a decisive president, the current one surely isn’t.

Let’s cut to the chase and jump to the latest scene that got social media all agog once again: the crying and weeping in the Senate valley of tears by Cayetano’s sister, Pia, with ample tissue support from colleague Loren Legarda. It’s worth a watch, this crying on the Senate floor, something we didn’t see on American TV when Trump die-hards stormed and attacked the Capitol on January 6, 2021. One Facebook reel transcribed what the weeping Pia said on the floor and made it look like she was reading straight from a movie, if not a stage script.

The female senator, now chair of the Senate blue ribbon committee, could give anyone serious competition for best actress in the Metro Manila Filmfest awards. Why, she faced the camera like an expert didn’t she, pointed out observant viewers.

Yesterday’s drama at the Senate drew quite a bit of backlash if you do a quick scan of social media — if your gut can still take it. The two Cayetanos in the Senate, along with their cohorts, have certainly brought what used to be called the “upper chamber” to new lows. I’d be curious to see the next survey ratings, given these latest dramatics.

What’s next then for the impeachment court that’s supposed to try Vice President Sara Duterte? A semblance of a court, with senator-judges donning red robes, was convened on May 18. A writ of summons has been issued and Duterte is given 10 calendar days to respond to it, along with the Articles of Impeachment.

After she replies, the House prosecutors will be given five calendar days to file their comment. If Duterte is a no-show or does not respond, a no-guilty plea will be entered on her behalf and trial will still commence. A pre-trial will be held during which parties get to discuss their evidence that will be presented during the trial itself.

The Senate president (SP), if that will still be Cayetano (given loose talk about another coup in the offing), is supposed to set schedules for the trial proper. Who knows if the next SP will be Win Gatchalian?

Act 2 will be opening soon. Are you still watching? Voting for the best acting awards — both for male and female lead roles — is now open! Let me know your choices 🙂.

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– Rappler.com

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