A FACEBOOK lawyer friend from Ateneo de Davao asked in his post: “Incoming Senator Bato’s statement should be a point for reflection. What is really the job of a Senator?”
“We know that they are supposed to make laws. I know he knows that. But more often they do the role of the NBI, if not act like a court of justice at the expense of people’s money.”
Presumptive senator Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa asked the public, “Ewan ko kung meron bang seminar d’yan, or ano bang training d’yan para matutuhan ko kung paano gawin ‘yung batas, kung paano gawin ‘yung trabaho sa Senado.”
Being a pro-Duterte, Arnold Cruz Abejaron and I find ourselves at loggerheads on human rights issues especially on the expulsion of Sr. Patricia Fox.
But in a strange twist of Divine Providence, I often find ourselves agreeing on common grounds. We stand for upholding the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the rule of law, and even on the slippery slope of due process.
Of course, this shouldn’t even be a bone of contention. We are after all both officers of the court. In the exercise of our obligations as a court annexed mediators and as lawyers, we make sure that our actions are not contrary to law, morals, good customs and public policies.
Another pro-Duterte is Professor Antonio Contreras of De La Salle University who describes himself as a critical supporter. He asked this question: “Presumptive Senator Bato has a degree of Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from the Mindanao State University (MSU). He graduated from PMA, in 1986. And he holds a Masters of Public Administration degree and a Ph.D. in Development Administration degree from the University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao City.
“So it behooves one to ask how on earth he doesn’t know the function of the Senate and the job of Senators. Hindi ba ito diniscuss sa Public Ad, o sa PMA?”
We might find ourselves on the opposite sides of the aisle on political issues. But as a mediator, I find that I am learning from their ideas. They are after all thinking intellectuals.
As Intellectuals, we are expected to use our minds for intensive reasoning and deep thinking, particularly in relation to subjects that tend to spark deep discussion, such as literature, philosophy, or politics.
Yes, I hope and pray that more Filipinos will use their God-given brains that amid our difference on political leanings, we can learn to find common grounds.
We are not pre-programmed software—or apps, as they are called nowadays—configured to think and say what the leaders promote. As Catholics, I strongly believe in God’s gift to His creation masterpiece: humans gifted with free will.
The Roman Catholic Church holds to the teaching that “by free will, (the human person) is capable of directing himself toward his true good ... man is endowed with freedom, an outstanding manifestation of the divine image.” Amen.
bqsanc@yahoomail.com