By Atty. Howie Calleja
Like siblings fighting for their favorite toy, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco are currently in the midst of a highly-publicized struggle for the power that comes with the speakership. At this point, it seems that no one will back down; Cayetano wants to hold onto power while Velasco asks that the term agreement brokered by Duterte be upheld. Congress seems to be divided with whether to uphold the gentlemen’s agreement, or to side with the shepherd that has guided their flock for the past year. Though the two men have tried to set themselves apart from the other, no one can deny they are two sides of the same coin – though their rationalization for why they deserve the speakership position might be different, they both serve the same master.
This past week, Cayetano tried to cover his naked ambition with a viewpoint he seems to have adopted only in the past week; that politicking must cease while we deal with a pandemic. Velasco, on the other hand, relies heavily on his opponent’s word of honor. However, to truly serve the country, both men would do well to remember that whoever sits as speaker now is not important. The focus should be entirely on efforts to rebuild our country: assisting teachers as they shift to distance-learning; compensating our health workers and other frontliners fairly; providing safe and affordable transportation; and developing more social amelioration programs.
But the fight over the speakership won’t bring change unless the winner prioritizes Filipino jobs instead of catering to China, supports press freedom in lieu of destroying the lives of 11,000 kapamilyas, and guarantees a budget that supports the average Juan rather than ensuring pork barrel funds for his allies. These are, unfortunately, not the issues that have been talked about in the press or to the public. It is clear that the fight for the speakership is, sadly, not a fight for the Filipino people. It is a fight for political power and one of greed and ambition. No matter who prevails, the Filipino does not share in the victor’s spoils.
The spectacle of power-plays only shows that both candidates for Speaker of the House are looking for the limelight, lest they be forgotten by the time the country returns to the polls. Though the two men call for honor, their rallying cries are not calls for food security, accessible healthcare, and for the strengthening of our economy – looking instead to toot their own horns. Truly, there is no honor among thieves. The only light in this mess is found through the cracks in the armor; we have been lead to believe that the allies of the President are united, but they have shown that much is brewing beneath the surface. It is almost tempting to allow these men to tear each other down, shake the foundation of this administration, and destroy this house of cards.
But, if we allow them to scorch the earth in the battle to lead Congress, it is the Filipino people who suffer. The time and efforts wasted by this war is time not spent on the budget and in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. Worse still, it is the Filipino who is footing the bill while the petty squabble continues. The quarreling congressmen would do well to remember that, as public servants, they have a duty to remain professional and put the people first – after all, we pay for their salary. This is not the first time the two have made a spectacle, and we shouldn’t expect it to be the last, but when they are on the clock and in session it is time to stop the gossip and “cliquish” actions.
Settle this ridiculous competition of whose father loves more, because what change will it actually accomplish? From the outside looking in, it’s just a change from the right hand to the left, while further dividing those in charge of putting the country back together again. For a group that constantly ignores the constitutional separation of Church and State, they often forget the most basic teachings of the Bible; Matthew 12:25 reminds us that a house divided against itself will not stand. The House of Representatives is looking more aperiodic every day and, in this house of cards, there are too many jokers in the pack.