5.1 [Tabloid 1]

Headline: NAPILAY: Senate minority, sinong papalit kay Enrile?

The recent news brought about by the public regarding three imprisoned senators was not a shocking one. From the time of the senatorial elections last May, I already had the hunch that something like this was bound to happen. Other recent news about a group of three senators convening to discuss their 2016 plans is even more disconcerting. By then, I would already have been qualified to vote. They say history repeats itself, and I would like to think that bringing history back could sometimes be a good thing. But the outcome of the senatorial elections last year is dissapointing, and its end (well, we still have until two more years) results dreadful (PDAF scams, Philippine-China territorial disputes, Zamboanga City ceasefire hoax, etc.), even in the face of some positive events. Voting was meant to be a virtuous activity. As a child I used to have it in mind that senators, especially Juan Ponce Enrile, were great people. I remember thinking two years ago of Enrile as a wise old man, especially during the trial period of CJ Corona. Today, the Senate President that he was is now in prison. Two years from now, the country's next president would be representing us from inside his prison cell. We would be caged-bird Philippines all over again.

Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada was supposed to have been Enrile's next-in-line. Sadly, they're both in prison. Seven years ago, Enrile's was preceded by Manny Villar during the Arroyo regime. Do we take him back? No wait, we can't. Section IV of Article VI.

I carry a constitution with me every day, but I'm neither politician nor lawyer. I just love knowing about justice and political controversies--and I know my law very well. I used to love listening to debates at the Upper House (literally the upper floor) back in the day, during the regime of Ramon Magsaysay. Well, I'm 89 now. It's been a long 89 years immersing myself in good old politics. My wife thinks it's a dull, boring lifestyle; but I think it's great.

Today's politics is insufferable. The ruling class is comprised of great men but equally poor politicians. Where are the noble politicians of today? Hey, if only I ran for position a long time ago. I would have been good. Seriously.