JESTING PILATE
Written By: Rey David A. Gayas
Now comes the “Senateflix” and Congress public hearings where the Filipino netizens were all eyes. There were no ads nor subscriptions, yet even in the offices and the marketplaces, one may see someone looking at their phones or tablets gazing as truths unfold and heated exchanges were given. The significance of each day was surmounted “in aid of legislation.” Well, the Senatus Populusque Romani (the Senate People of Rome) of our modern times are circling around the feeds of our social media platforms with their questions and nodding heads on the timeless question of Pilate: “Quid est Veritas?” (What is the truth?)
Politicians from their seats show how they grapple with the unfolding of the events. As the election dawns, politicians scramble to get the spotlight and be viewed in the limelight of good governance. I, for one, shall think again on who to vote for based on the hearings, since social media gave us a glimpse of how they act with the authority given to them.
Yet, this spotlight was a double-edged sword for most of them. It can be a hit or miss because without preparation, many people may see one to be just a nuisance in uncovering what really happened. Also, the question of how these things unfold “in aid of legislation” always lingers in my mind. How I wish these sessions were also simultaneously showing the Filipino people how they may help in enacting future laws. If it is not the case and all else were naught, they may be self-serving and a free campaign for our good folks in the legislation.
The significance of the ‘blue’ and ‘red’ persons, whose colors were stricken to their political aspirations, to those who were witnesses and bystanders inside the hearings, and all those people who were there buzzing and whispering behind, was about giving the people a spectacle of how our leaders scrutinize public interest and policies. From here on out, I am hoping that such privilege given to us through social media will lead us to scrutinize who we want to ask questions to, based on the supposed ‘resource persons’ and ‘witnesses,’ like how the Greco-Romans hailed masters and teachers in the pulpits and platforms as celebrities, and not personas who masked themselves in other roles from plays.
Filipinos met them through their wordplay—cunning words and responsive answers. The entertainment is set on the hearings while making the chatter tale on the current events. That is how the old world could have been. And for now, the country’s preoccupation is on them. Still, it is significant progress to catch the attention of many.
This is just the beginning, and we shall continue to meet them, gazing from perspectives and plans, and hopefully not comingling with the excessive use of power in the long run.
THE BARRISTER 