Saturday, December 15, 2007 Speak out: Senate: old, new By Jesus Sievert
FOR those of us who have been fortunate to live, grow and witness the illustrious past of great politicians in ‘60s and early ‘70s, we cannot help but lament the passing of the years.
The names of Lorenzo Tañada, Jose Diokno, Francisco Rodrigo, Roseller Lim, Jovito Salonga, Raul Manglapus, Ambrosio Padilla, Lorenzo Sumulong, Emmanuel Pelaez, Gerardo Roxas and Benigno Aquino may no longer sound familiar, nay, historic to the young generation, but these were real people, former senators of the realm, who, in their times made us and the country proud.
Only Salonga, a victim of the infamous Plaza Miranda bombing in 1971, is still alive.
These are but some of the illustrious public servants who served the country with honor, dignity and pride. They were stalwart figures that stood tall for freedom and democracy.
All were uncompromising in their belief and respect for the constitution. All were avid nationalist. All were statesmen in the real sense of the word.
Unfortunately, some distinguished lives were destroyed and their services to the nation cut short when, in 1972, a despot seized power and imposed martial law, holding the country hostage for 14 years.
The country, as we knew it then, was never the same again.
We lament the passing of the years because these were the breed of people who could have inspired and served as beacon for the present generation of politicians.
These were the type of public servants we should have had today in our national legislative bodies to lift us from the bog we are in and make this country reputable again.
Having grown up looking with awe, admiring and respecting these gentlemen and being glued to my seat listening over the radio to their privilege speeches on the Senate floor and their interpellation of one another thereafter, I could not help but be enthralled at the display of erudition and eloquence in their well modulated voices.
Alas, nothing similar can be said about some of the present senators.
We can only bemoan the posturing and grandstanding, not to mention the clowning, especially during public hearings in front of cameras and aired on TV stations.
Their conduct is nothing less than appalling.
Yet some of them have now the temerity to aspire for the presidency of the country! As if wealth and fame alone can make for a great leader.
