The headlines in the newspapers highlight the “nominated candidates” for the Senatorial State for 2013.
Filipinos love elections, almost as much as we love fiestas. The political pot is starting to boil.
Nothing is sure in politics and the recent controversy between Miguel Zubiri and Coco Pimentel on the UNA State should have been resolved within party walls and among loyal members of the coalition.
By and large, there seems to be a lack of maturity in choosing candidates. We still have to choose between personalities, not on the proposed plan of governance, or an alternative political philosophy.
Our recent impeachment trial experience should make us realize that “legislative powers” of the Senate is the power by virtue of an electoral mandate, the common good being its highest aim by consent and by authority received from the public.
The legislative cannot transfer lawmaking to any other hands because they have delegated power from the people. So care and discernment must be applied in choosing senators, most especially on their own merits because familiar names or same families occupy these positions.
Can there be new faces in the Senate? Will there be a younger version of the older statesman? Are we maturing in our democratic processes, whereby, there will be a level playing field for those who in earnest want to serve as legislators?
Or do we have to resign ourselves to the same roll of names come next election?
Many things can still happen between now and 2013?
