According to their conscience!

“Cowardice asks: Is it safe? Expediency asks: Is it politic?
But Conscience asks: Is it right?”

—William Punshon

That is exactly the problem! We fear that they will decide according to their conscience. Because as it seems…they don't have any! They don't appear to have a sense of what is right and what is wrong. Principles, well that is scarce too.

I am talking about our congress representatives whom House Speaker Jose de Venecia has declared that they will be doing just that – vote according to their conscience -- in connection with impeachment proceedings.

De Venecia claims that these tong-gressmen will use their "conscience to weigh on considerations”. “You have to follow the legal processes. I believe that each and every congressman will do their duty when the time comes," he further said.

Characteristic of a master trapo that he is, de Venecia is pulling off another trapo trick. After he had transmitted the impeachment complaint to the justice committee and now declaring that his colleagues particularly those belonging to the administration party will be using their conscience; here he is wearing a different face assuring Malacañang that the process will be blocked by 189 of their allies!

A news report quoted this dreadful trapo in a television talk show that together with Antipolo City Representative Ronaldo Puno, they had ‘obtained the "firm" commitments of 189 of the 236-member House to prevent the complaint from being sent to the Senate, "whatever the evidence" to be presented before the justice committee.'

“Whatever the evidence!” Now that is conscience, ladies and gentlemen. Well, we should know by now that the ass-lickers' conscience is their loyalty to their masters! Regardless of the evidence against the corrupt and dishonest president, which we know is overwhelming; this pack of wolves is expected to vote along party lines to prevent the impeachment complaint from being sent to the upper chamber for trial.

While most of them for sure haven't read or even seen the original and the amended complaints, the Speaker of the House already has spoken and prejudged the outcome of the case. The deliberations are still scheduled more than a week from now and yet there already is a declaration from no less than the House Speaker that such will be shot down.

Now, it is still fresh in our minds that Gloria and her ilk have called for sobriety to the restive population who are calling for her ouster or resignation. Not too long ago, this illegitimate president and her band of trapos said that we should rather resolve this in a “constitutional way” as she is willing to face the issues in an impeachment proceeding.

If the impeachment deliberations in the lower house will turn out to be another farce, then this will be another slap on the Filipino's face. This will be one big insult to the population who already lost their trust on the president and who believes that Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has no more right to occupy Malacañang.

On the brighter side however is that this development could be a blessing in disguise. Well, this column firmly believes that simply removing Gloria through impeachment and installing Noli de Castro will be a cosmetic resolution and will not be meaningful for the nation.

This constitutional succession offers no hope for genuine reforms that can usher in improvement in the system of governance, elections and the economy. In such a scenario, chances are nil for bold reforms that can redound to the recovery of our people who are reeling from poverty caused by this system of elite democracy.

Maybe this would lead to a spark that could unite the Filipinos to a daring action to finally seize control of the nation's future, the formation of a transitional revolutionary government and ensure that genuine changes through participatory processes may take place.

(For comments and reactions send SMS to 0919-348-6337 or email to ianseruelo@yahoo.com.)