(special thanks to the owner for the use of the above image)
The Congress exercised its budgetary oversight function when the OVP was scheduled to come back again and answer the questions of the House Committee On Appropriations members. And just like the first day of hearing the whole Philippines was watching with bated breath ... what little drama the entire proceedings will bring.Indeed the second hearing did not disappoint ... it has its own drama to tell ... and those waiting for gory details had the times of their lives ... they had the best seat to see who lost their cool ... whose tempers fly ... and whose emotions running high. There were even moments we thought the heated debates would escalate to a whodunit suspense drama (who threw the first punch ... and who was the deserving recipient.)
My goodness, that was almost an adrenaline-charged spectacle. I never thought for once that the honorable congressmen could behave so dishonorably ... behaving like some rowdy and boisterous juveniles.
The hearing was highly entertainment and it was a picnic. Some moments made us roll into boisterous laughter ... and some scenes made us loathe the kontrabidas.
Let us point them one by one as we highlight the sidelights: who rose above their ranks ... who stole the thunder ... who were the good, the bad, and the ugly.
1, The Bad - In the last hearing the VP was stonewalling and she didn't want to answer questions from Arlene Brosas: She made this observation: "Shimenet like my answer ... Shimenet like how I answer ... Shiminet like the content of my answer ... but I am answering.
She is answering all right... but not the questions being asked.
2. The Good - In the second hearing, Arlene Brosas responded and mimicked her lines: "She may not like our questions last hearing ... she may not like being questioned about the OVP expenses ... she may not like sitting with us here in the house ... but she is accountable to the people and she has a sworn duty to the constitution to be here para malaman natin ang budget niya.
That really brought the house down. Congressman Raoul Manuel was seen smiling and hiding from the camera because he knows where those lines are leading to.
3. The Ugly - After Arlene Brosas' manifestation ... France Castro wants to give another manifestation. Rodante Marcoleta butted in and said: "Madam chair pwede naman kami naman muna ... hindi yong sila na lang sunod sunod ... na sila na lang."
A bully in the house?
4. The Bad - I have nothing against the VP, but she was a no-show. A clear indication that she doesn't have the intention of being transparent and explains where the 125 Million was spent in 11 days and why 62 Million was improperly liquidated.
Siya ang naghihingi ng pera ... siya pa may tampong pururot?
5. The Bad - I also have nothing against France Castro ... yon lang kung siya ay nagsasalita ... her statements were pregnant with uh and ah - she often loses her trend of thought.
What ever important things she wants to say loses impact in the end ... sa pagumpisa akala mo may bomba ... yon pala blank buttlets lang,
6. The Ugly - When Rodante Marcoleta emphasizes the long cherished parliamentary courtesy in the house he mentions: that the OVP should be accorded the respect and not be questioned anymore.
Walanghiya naman ... 2 billion ang hinihingi tapos aprub kaagad?
7. The Ugly - It is obvious what Marcoleta is up to. He immediately proceeded to move to terminate the inquiry. And Isidro Ungab tagged team and he seconded the motion.
Akala nila makuha nila sa madaliang paraan ... at sa santong paspasan?
8. The Good - Stella Quimbo sensing the obvious immediately divided the house and a vote was made. The result was 45-3. Where in the first meeting she was a bunch of nerves ... this time she was completely in control.
She was a pillar of power and strength when he stood up against the giant when she said: "Cong. Marcoleta your point was not well taken."
9. The Bad- Marcoleta hits VP Sara's critics and calls them out for not giving courtesy. He has his own version of Shiminet "You may not like the person ... you may not like her presence here ... but you have to respect the office of the Vice President."
Gosh ... how can you accord the much-needed courtesy ... kung naging bastos naman siya in the first hearing? Sabi nga ni Cong Abante: Insulto at walang respeto ang no show stance niya ngayon.
10. The Good - The new breed of legislators are showing balls when they invalidated Rodante's brasohan tactics. The likes of Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez, Raoul Manuel, and Karlo Nograles.
Adults can learn to have more fun and relax more.
10. The Good - Atty Jinky Luistro sharing her manifestation: "I just want to make a short manifestation that I could not relate to the long-cherished tradition that Cong Marcoleta said because this is my first term. But I understand that we are supposed to extend parliamentary courtesy by not raising questions on the budget of OVP. But submitting to that tradition ... what happens to the Constitutional provision on "public office is a public trust and that we should always be accountable to the people?
Well, I differ with the wisdom of the senior members ... I along with the new breed of legislators are inclined to honor the tradition ... but what happens if the tradition is not effective ... what happens if the tradition does not unite and instead divides ...
Let us all remember that in all parliamentary proceedings, the majority always rules. When the majority voted for NO it has rendered the courtesy issue moot and academic".
Youth Power!
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