The fourth most powerful person in the country has made good on his threat to strip those who opposed the death penalty measure of their posts at the House of Representatives.
It’s a chilling message that might as well have come from Death itself.
Through Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas, the House leadership declared the seat of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo—deputy speaker for Central Luzon—vacant Wednesday, the last day of session before the Holy Week break.
Many things can be said of the former president, and we do not even commend her for voting against the bill—just that she did so out of conviction, and even at the cost of her congressional post.
Eleven committee persons from various political affiliations—Henedina Abad, Kaka Bag-ao, Jose Christopher Belmonte, Evelina Escudero, Emmi de Jesus, Vilma Santos-Recto, Sitti Turabin-Hataman, Antonio Tinio, Mariano Velarde, Emmeline Aglipay-Villar and Carlos Zarate—were also stripped of their committee chairmanships after opposing the reinstatement of the death penalty or being absent during the voting.
Others who similarly voted may meet the same fate after the congressional break.
At first we felt Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez’s threat was an empty boast—this administration, after all, is known for hyperbole. Last week, however, the House, bowing to the wishes of the powers-that-be, voted an overwhelming 217-54-1 in favor of re-imposing the death penalty, which would be solely meted out on those found guilty of drug-related crimes. The condemned will be put to death through hanging, firing squad or lethal injection.
We have objected to the death penalty on so many counts, not the least of all being the potential for abuse and injustice, but that is not even the point in this issue.
What is worse than hearing an empty boast however is the grim realization that these bullies masquerading as politicians can use sheer power to whip their colleagues into submission. True enough—not a single lawmaker opposed the House leadership’s move on the erstwhile deputy speaker and committee heads.
Where then is the virtue in dissent, of healthy discussions and agreeing to disagree for the good of the nation?
Then again, it appears nobody is after virtue here—only the vice of arrogance and impunity.