House of Apes: of JDV and GMA and ZTE and OMG WTF LOL

5 Feb
2008

“Pinag aawayan nyo lang ang kickback ninyo!” blurted Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago in one of the sessions of the ZTE Broadband Scandal.

Nothing more can be farther from the truth, as we Filipinos witness the ousting of House of Representatives speaker Jose de Venecia, following a move by Palawan Representative Abraham Kahlil Mitra. As of writing, the votes are at 143 to 32, in favor of declaring the Speakership vacant. Prior to this, JDV was given the chance to air his sentiments, and he did so for 58 minutes (although he was only given 10 minutes). As he emotionally described (with accompanying slams to the table) his contributions to the society and how he supported the past presidents, including GMA, I could not help but be amused.

Yes, my friends. I am amused and nothing more. In the middle of JDV’s apparently sincere battlecry of putting an end to corruption and a moral revolution. In the midst of the seemingly casual and repetitive usage of God’s name. In the midst of a voting session quite often interrupted by a “Speaker, can I explain my vote” followed by a 3 minute explanation of how the vote is driven by ANYTHING BUT conviction, honesty, and the fear of God, I could not help but laugh. I would cry if I could, but my years of theatre has trained me to be detached to superficiality.

“Pinag aawayan nyo lang ang kickback ninyo!”

– Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago

But then again, all of this drama is for real, right? They are all sincere, God-fearing, honest, moral leaders who want nothing more than to serve the country.

I guess when all has been said and done, it all boils down the that single life-altering event where you either did something:

thinking you would never get caught but eventually you were; or
that drew somebody away – someone truly delicate precious.

You regretted your actions deeply and you wished, with all your heart, that you could turn back time. But the damage is done and time only moves forward.

On the day of retribution — on the day when the law of man is reduced to a pile of dust — then maybe, just maybe, I will shed a tear or two. For they are all but apes.