A certain post on social media that has gone viral is accusing Sen. Risa Hontiveros of being unable to think on her own.
Various versions of this post say that a lady almost always feeds her a script. That lady is her chief legislative officer, a law school batchmate of mine. An excellent lawyer.
This is an article not only about the role of legislative staff but more about the incredible legislator whom we all know as Risa Hontiveros.
A quick reminder for all the Senator Risa-haters: of all the senators in the country right now, only Sen. Risa Hontiveros has had the balls to pursue hard-hitting and difficult investigations against major criminals.
Her investigations are also causing radical policy/legislative changes — which is the purpose of congressional investigations. To accuse her of being “fed a script” is ridiculous.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros studies the public issues diligently.
I remember briefing her on an issue when I was a young lawyer. She was a congresswoman then, and she came in, without swagger. Ready with her pen and paper. Asking hard questions.
Through the years, Sen Risa Hontiveros has defended laws that we all now benefit from.
And true, she is not a lawyer. But having passed the Bar is not equal to being a good legislator.
Legislation requires a deep understanding of what the people and the country need. And it’s not a one-person job.
Hardworking and excellent legislators like Sen. Risa Hontiveros have a team of experts supporting them.
When I was working in the Senate over a decade ago, most hardworking senators had three teams: legis, political, and comms. I once sat on one of those chairs at the back of a legislator, too. I would also give index cards to my principal — often, new evidence or data we pick up during an investigation; sometimes, proposed questions.
During debates on pending laws, we would pass notes to our legislator for possible answers to difficult questions. Often, our principal already knows the answers. We are behind them as backstop to provide support “just in case”.
A good legis staff has a close relationship of trust with the legislator. They are well-versed with the senator’s/congressperson’s points of view, vision, sense of humor, and even quirks. A good legis staff works with the legislator, not for her.
Legislative investigations require teamwork, and strong leadership to be productive.
And that’s what Sen. Risa Hontiveros provides: strong, focused leadership. She frames the issue. She decides what to focus on. For difficult investigations, she even protects her team against retaliation, and ensures they are kept safe.
The team of Sen. Risa Hontiveros supports her with thorough work. The good Senator is never “fed a script”. She has been an advocate all her life. She is aware what people need to see happening.
So while the country is burning or drowning, depending on where you sit, one Senator out there is doing her job, and doing it well. And the country is all the better for it because Risa Hontiveros is our Senator.
And whether you like her or not, Sen. Risa Hontiveros gets things done.
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Author’s email: goldabenjamin@gmail.com
