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It’s weird that people of stature don’t open their mouths when
they should. But don’t be misled and think that they’re shy
because they’re not. In fact, if you turn your back at them as you
speak, they would prattle.
So, when their turn to speak comes, you get your
revenge. You cover your ears or just decide not to hear a word. And
the moment the speaker turns his back or averts his gaze, you engage
the guy next to you in an animated conversation.
Does this remind you of the halcyon days in
elementary and high school? It was great fun being rowdy and
inattentive. And the teacher complained you were either late for
class or absent. When in attendance, you had a great time being a
brat. Do you relish the memory of giving your teachers and
classmates a hard time?
Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile sounded like an
exasperated teacher when he flared up over the kids’ misdemeanors
in the Senate. But instead of saying: “Children, please behave and
study your lessons,” the senator blew his top and said he was
disappointed that many senators come to the session as if it was the
“first day in school.” (Read: They don’t know anything yet.)
He said several senators had made reservations
to ask questions regarding a pending bill, but he was impatient
waiting for them “to open their mouths.” And he slammed their
penchant for “run-arounds,” a euphemism for repeating the
questions other senators have asked.
A coffee shop philosopher, who claimed to have
academic experience because he spent eight years in high school,
said the “first-day-in-school attitude” and the “run-around”
are the hallmarks of a smart student. He said the Senate reminds him
of his high school class.
Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago was another
exasperated teacher ranting at the lack of discipline in the Senate.
She said the chamber often could not start its sessions because of
lack of quorum. Senators, who are habitually tardy or absent, should
be penalized, she said. “It is a matter of self-discipline. Late
senators should not be allowed to determine when the session will
start.”
Santiago urged the Senate leadership to install
two podiums facing the senators in addition to the six facing the
Senate president, who sits on an elevated platform like a school
principal.
She said the additional two podiums would allow
senators to engage in debate without turning their backs on their
colleagues.
“It’s true,” the venerable coffee shop
philosopher said. “You turn your back at them at your own peril.
It’s not what they are talking about behind your back. It’s what
they do. They sneak out of the room. Or they stick out their tongues
and wave the middle finger in your direction.”
Sen. Richard Gordon supported Santiago’s
proposal and said the new set-up would help discourage senators from
being rude by engaging in private conversations while a colleague is
delivering a speech. He said when senators’ talk among themselves
they leave the speaker “talking all by himself.” (Read: Nobody
listens).
Not all senators love to talk. Some of them
would not open their mouths, especially to reporters, for fear of
making mistakes. But nobody can blame them. They apparently belong
to the so-called “silent majority.”
People, whether or not they are senators,
usually talk more and listen less. But we know of people who are the
opposite. You try to get a conversation going and he reacts to your
words with a blank stare. You wave a finger in front of his face and
say: “Hey I’m talking to you Mr. Wall.”
Because politicians talk a lot, they often have
no time left for listening. They love to start a conversation with
their favorite line: “In a manner of speaking . . . my
accomplishments speak for itself.”
Or, “In a manner of speaking . . . my
qualifications are exceptional.”
Because some senators hardly open their mouths
they should be installed in the Senate’s Silent Majority Hall of
Fame.” Their favorite line should be: ”In a manner of hearing .
. . no need for me to speak about myself.” Or, “In a manner of
hearing . . . what you hear is what you get.” As Silent Majority
Hall of Famers they can stick their tongues out to the senior
members of the Senate and say: “No need for us to open our mouths
. . . beeee!”
palaciosjp@sss.gov.ph
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