Far From Neutral Notions - Philippine politics, culture and stuff

Defending herself against fellow lawmakers after her bomba proclamation that Senator Drilon and former President Aquino were plotting to oust and assasinate GMA, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago said, “If I personally belive that I constitute a clear and present danger to the republic, I will shoot myself in the head.” Reacting to several comments that she was being reckless and fomenting the controversy, she exclaims “I have nothing to gain [with this]”, challenging the media and other pundits: “Gawin nyo na lahat ng gawin nyo, hindi ako takot (Do what you will, I am not afraid).”

Never one to back down, Miriam personally lashed out against the four congressmen who questioned her claims, blasting former President Corazon Aquino’s son and three other congressmen for making “personal attacks” on her. Proving that nobody has a monopoly on personal attacks - and indeed that she is a master of such strategies - Miriam called Noynoy Aquino uneducated and ignorant amidst protestations about Hacienda Luisita.

Following Miriam’s speech, an equally colorful Senator in the person of Jinggoy Estrada brought up the spectre of his deposed father. Quoting from Miriam’s document, which says that any ouster of GMA before 2010 by any means save impeachment is unconstitutional, Jinggoy raises the question of whether the ouster of his father was unconstitutional, as well. Of course, being the feisty lawyer that she is, Miriam rose to the bait and said some very choice words against the presidency of GMA, saying in no uncertain terms that GMA’s first term does not have the backing of the rule of law and is unconstitutional.

Miriam ended up exhorting Jinggoy to run for president himself, saying “tumakbo ka bilang presidente Mr. Estrada, ilabas mo ang katotohanan (run for president Mr. Estrada, let the truth come out).” And here I thought she was pro-administration; but after all, she’s switched sides often enough that it doesn’t really matter.

Now correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t that giving the pro-Erap camp incentive to get into the fray and start rallying again? Isn’t that, oh, a bit reckless? Because the way she’s going, the danger’s already clear, and it may soon be imminent. She may not be the root of it, but she certainly knows how to fan the flames.

Screw Pinoy Big Brother, the Senate sessions ought to be shown in primetime.

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