MANILA
Some congresspeople here think impeachment complaints are a nuisance because “they hold back development” and that they take time away from Congress’ main work, legislation.
At the recent House hearing on Rep. Gary Alejano’s impeachment complaint against President Duterte, several members expressed annoyance because, they said, impeachments are a waste of time.
But isn’t an impeachment complaint part of due process enshrined in the Constitution? Does this mean those who complain about impeachments are ignorant of the law?
As members of the House they surely know that impeachment cases are provided for in the Constitution. But they complain because it inconveniences them.
This annoyance over a procedure that is guaranteed by the Constitution comes from allies of the official being proposed to be impeached. Would they also express annoyance if the official being impeached is a political enemy of theirs?
This is the problem with Philippine politics. Everything politicians do is based on what’s good or bad for them. Considerations of principle or conscience aren’t necessarily what motivate them to act or talk. Concern for the nation’s interests or welfare often comes last in their priorities.
Politicians are good at justifying what benefits them politically or personally. It doesn’t matter if what they say or do is against the national welfare.
Take the daily extrajudicial killings (EJKs) taking place in the Philippines as an example. Politicians and appointed officials allied with Mr. Duterte are silent about the killings and they justify them as a “necessary evil.” But if roles are reversed and the same politicians and officials aren’t allied with the president, they would likely be attacking him for the EJKs. Politicians’ stands on issues are dictated by their political affiliation, not necessarily by what’s good for the country.
Cabinet members have been telling potential investors that it’s safer today in the Philippines than before Mr. Duterte’s term. Daily news tells us that’s not so, with stories of crime still earning banner headlines and lead stories on TV news.
What this proves is that, often people are blinded by their loyalties. Because they’re part of the Duterte administration, they can’t, or refuse to, see the crimes that take place daily in the country.
In the Philippines, people take a stand on issues depending on where they stand politically. That is the basis for their loyalty. It’s not necessarily what’s best for the country.
The bottom line is public officials close their eyes to the evil and iniquities happening in the country depending on their political loyalties. They find due process a nuisance. They make noises about losing time for their “real” work instead of undertaking an honest-to-goodness probe into possible criminal activity.
But when it comes to common people with no political connections, they’re more than willing to browbeat them at congressional hearings or leave them to the mercy of corrupt law enforcement officers. When it comes to their personal and political interests, they protect each other’s backs.
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