BLIND SPOT: Everybody Wants to Rule the World

“Everybody Wants to Rule the World”, if you lived through the 80s, you’re probably familiar with the Tears for Fears song, or at least, you’ve probably heard it at least once. Does everybody really? Why after all would everybody want to rule the world? “Through viva voce vote, solons formally installed Andaya to lead the more than 200-man super majority bloc. Andaya replaced Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas, who allegedly made last-minute lobbying in Malacañang to retain his post.” (politics.com) That’s a reunion of sorts. It’s almost like a déjà vu. Our kababayan is once again in the limelight. Now, here’s where it gets more interesting. “Under current House rules, the minority leader is elected by those who did not elect the winning speaker from among themselves.” “Current House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez had expressed interest to join the majority led by newly-installed House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo since he is a staunch ally of the former president.” (news.abs-cbn.com ) Okay, so by the rules, that would make him now part of the majority. Doesn’t it? Buhay Party List representative Lito Atienza “emphasized that Suarez will remain as the minority leader as decided by the greater majority of Congress when he was nominated.” Wait, wait; that got me a little dizzy. The majority decides who leads the minority? Is that how democracy works? Is that even fair? “He emphasized that the function of the minority should not be in total opposition with the administration, but should be constructive and vigilant.” (https://news.mb.com ) Well, he has a point there. One legislator or government official could fiscalize the administration, despite having amicable relations especially one deeply rooted in the past, with the administration leaders. Mayong personalan; trabaho lang. I have to take that with admiration. That is very idealistic, and in Philippine politics, not very realistic. On the other corner, “The 12congressmen— who all happen to be members of the Liberal Party — announced they have chosen former Deputy Speaker Miro Quimbo as the new Minority Floor Leader.” “Under House Rules, the Minority Leader shall be elected by members of the minority. The political party also cited that only those who abstain from voting shall be considered a part of the minority bloc.” And if you’re not very attentive with numbers, “Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez was ousted from the Speaker post just before the President’s state of the nation address, after 184 voted for Arroyo, while the 12 Liberal Party lawmakers abstained.” (cnnphilippines.com) “But incumbent Minority Floor Leader Danilo Suarez (Quezon) dismissed the request being raised up by the LP bloc since his group is still the “duly constituted” House minority that was earlier recognized by the Supreme Court.” Okay, that does it. Supreme Court na ang nagsabi. Ano pa man? Oh, wait; is this the same Supreme Court which deposed their Chief Justice and worked so hard for it, on a SALN issue? “Meanwhile, another bloc who is reportedly contesting for minority leadership is a group loyal to the fallen Alvarez led by embattled Majority Floor Leader Rodolfo Fariñas and Mindoro Oriental Rep. Reynaldo Umali.” (politics.com) “The minority leader is elected in party caucus of all Members of the House in the minority party, although by tradition, the losing candidate for speaker is named the minority leader.” (https://en.wikipedia.org) Okay, my head is starting to hurt. If our honorable representatives will follow tradition, the minority floor leader should be the “loser” which happens to be the former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, who could not be part of the minority because he is a political ally of the President. Oh my, what is happening to the world? Okay, let’s look at it again. The House Speaker who is till supportive of the administration was removed from position, and replaced by a congressman who is not really from the same party as the President, but is an ally. So now, the people who used to oppose the former Speaker, now supports the new Speaker, Those who used to oppose now supports the Speaker, but still wants its benefits – leadership position. The way I see it, a majority group wants the speaker position, naturally the majority leader position, and still wants the minority leader position; equals total control, even to the point of being ridiculous. It is quite apparent that the hand of the President moved behind this chain reactions of switches of power and position, so they have the speakership, the majority and even the so-called minority. What for? In its first week, this new Congress leadership is already making their moves towards the second tax reform legislation. I now have my sweet cold drinks in smaller bottles. What’s next? “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.” 1 John 2:16