‘It will take an actual Senate trial to let us know whether these allegations are true or not, but whether a trial will ever happen depends on so many stars aligning.’
IN the wake of the controversial decision by 18 senators to “remand” the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte to the House, social media has been filled with comments, mainly negative, directed at the so-called “mga Senador na traydor.”
The anger from a segment of our electorate is understandable. The Senate action was a puzzle to me, puzzling and disappointing, as it appeared to be a move taken by senators desperate to find a win-win solution in a situation where it appears to be one that is all-or-nothing, winner-take-all. The 18–or most of them, at least–were not willing to go all the way and dismiss the complaint outright or acquit the Vice President, even before one piece of evidence had been presented. But they apparently wanted to avoid starting the trial itself, which seems to tell me that there’s something about the trial that partisans of the Vice President wish to avoid at all costs. Is it, as some allege, the exposure of bank accounts in the Bank of the Philippine Islands (Ortigas?) which former President Duterte had vehemently denied as being in existence? You see, if former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV is to be believed, these accounts will provide a money trail from unseemly characters that lead to the former President and members of his family. Just as bad, they are, we are told, joint accounts, with no one other than the Vice President being the co-owner of the accounts.
Wouldn’t that be reason enough to try whatever has to be tried to avoid getting a trial underway in the Senate?
It will take an actual Senate trial to let us know whether these allegations are true or not, but whether a trial will ever happen depends on so many stars aligning. But I was led by all these to think of the senators I miss, those who I wish were around to be Senator-Judges in lieu of some of the incumbents who I feel are lightweights in comparison.
In no apparent order, the senators I miss are Miriam Defensor-Santiago for obvious reasons. Whether you agree with her position on this or that issue or not, having her as one of the Senator-Judges is guaranteed to make the process a “blockbuster” that people will tune in to on TV or radio, no matter where they are or what they’re doing
From further back, I wish Jovito Salonga were still around, being a legal luminary. Marcelo Fernan Sr., as well. I’d also wish Frank Drilon were still in office, his idiotic “rebellion complexed with murder” charge against Juan Ponce Enrile notwithstanding.
And yes, of course, how can I not include JPE in this list?
Raul Roco, another one dearly missed.
I’d also include my first boss, Rene Cayetano, and even choose him over his two children who are in the Senate today.
I’d add Serge Osmeña, always sensible. I’ll throw in Ramon Magsaysay Jr. and maybe even Rodolfo Biazon.
Trillanes I’ll put in the prosecution panel, together with Rep. Leila de Lima
For sure, there are other great legal luminaries in past Senates, but they were in office long before I was born or before I was (politically) conscious. So I’ve limited my list to those I have known personally or through whose term I lived.
But imagine this list I’ve made of senators I miss – and imagine how many of the current crop could be thrown into the dustheap of history to give way to them?
If only – then I think the general public would have much more faith in the Senate of the Philippines and in the important legal process it has to carry out in accordance with our Constitution!
