Circus Is In Town

We call them Honorable. And why shouldn't they, when they are the ones who deliberate policies for the people and pass them in the form of statues. Elected by the people, they are to us, the honorable persons that should uphold peace, justice and equality for all of their constituents.

The chamber was house to great Filipinos such as Marcos, Recto, Roco, Manglapus and Salonga.

But today, it seems that the Senate of the Philippines has become a center of Amusement and Entertainment; a Circus where the participants are the source of laughter and ridicule; a Sitcom involving actors and actresses that quarrel over issues big and small; of trust and betrayal; of jumping ships from one to another and back.

The Impeachment proceedings during the Plunder trial of then president Joseph "Erap" Estrada has produced a number drama and comedy; and has created instant celebrities in the persons of "Dancing Queen", "Bading", "Nagti-timbang ng Manok", "and Natutulog habang nagse-session". But to this day, it is amusing to note that those who are against Erap during the Impeachment are now with him in the Opposition side.

If you think gossips are only for the showbiz people, then you are wrong. Watch our honorable legislators as they had a good laugh about the Angara-Legarda (their co-senators) story.

The latest circus happened on January 25, 2010 during the deliberation on the case of the Double Insertion of Budget, an anomalous transaction issue involving former Senate President and now Presidentiable Manny Villar.

In The Day The Senate Turned Into A Cockpit, blogger Ding Gagelonia describes how our honorable senators quarrel, shout insults, and name names, not to mention some unethical remarks that should not have been said at all.

Roxas: I had no insertion on any matter. In fact, I have no insertion, period.

Pimentel: I am sure that after your marriage, you had some insertions.But that may be different.

Where do we go from here?

When will we once again uphold the office of the Senate as a credible institution that functions honorably for the good of the people?

Or do we finally allow Senator Miriam Santiago's proposal?

Santiago: If this is the kind of hostile, belligerent attitude we bring to our debate, then all of us should resign immediately, because we do not deserve to be senators!