What Sona, when there’s high drama happening in the House of Representatives?
The much-anticipated State of the Nation Address spectacle fizzled in the face of the histrionics delivered by the congressmen early Monday morning as two factions struggled for the influential position of Speaker of the House.
Despite the best efforts of film director Joyce Bernal, who was tasked with the production of the Sona, President Rodrigo Duterte’s appearance at the event and his speech were upstaged by the tussle between representatives Pantaleon Alvarez and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for the speakership.
Allegedly it was presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte who went on a phone-a-thon the day before, ringing up congressmen to support GMA and topple Alvarez.
Mayor Sara’s move might have stemmed from an animosity between her and Alvarez, after he claimed she was a member of the opposition because of her establishment of another political party, Hugpong sa Pagbabago. She belied this vehemently and warned Alvarez, “You messed with the wrong girl.”
Hugpong is a regional political party that aims to support the current administration.
There’s scuttlebutt going around that Special Assistant to the President Bong Go, when called by some congressmen for confirmation of Mayor Sara’s plan, replied, “Huwag ninyong pahiyain si Sara.” If true, then it’s hard to believe that her father did not know of the plan beforehand.
Perhaps he was irked by Alvarez’s pronouncements in the past week about having no forthcoming elections, in relation to the moves for charter change, and extending or even doing away with term limits of elected officials.
Anyway, it’s said the President was going to walk out of the event but was persuaded to stay when he was reminded that delivering the SONA is a constitutional mandate.
If Mayor Sara did bring this massive coup off, then she is a political strategist extraordinaire of immense clout, because half of the congressman assembled that night voted for GMA as speaker.
However, other analysts say that Mayor Sara was played by an even shrewder political manipulator—GMA. Her nine years as president and all the years before and after have been a display of her savvy and it is possible, they say, that she somehow was able to bring this power play about and see to its success. Her new position could put her in line to be prime minister if the country shifts to federalism soon.
The President was said to have been annoyed that these shenanigans were brought about the morning of the Sona. Perhaps mentally distracted by the occurrence, he read his prepared speech without ad-libbing or cursing. Spectators said he looked to be in low spirits. Alvarez, after all, is one of his most trusted lieutenants, able and willing to push whatever policy the President desires.
Alvarez’s loss of the speakership to a canny politician who has the potential and power of independent action could be detrimental to the President’s interests, even if GMA did say that her agenda is to support this government.
But the quarrel for power might not be over. A major broadcast network yesterday Tweeted some lawmakers’ objection to the process that resulted in GMA’s successful power grab.
ABS-CBN News tweeted: “Makabayan bloc condemns incident earlier when ACT Party-list [Rep. Antonio] Tinio’s microphone was turned off when he objected to the adoption of the resolution declaring Rep. Arroyo House Speaker.
“Rep. Antonio Tinio: Hindi pinahintulutan ang objection namin. Ayaw nilang ilagay sa record, ayaw nilang may mag-question sa legitimacy ng pagkakahalal ni Rep. Arroyo.”
Another lawmaker, Rep. Sarah Elago, said: “What happened earlier sets the stage for the darker days to come. Preview ito ng mas malalang panggigipit at pagkakait ng boses ng dissent sa loob ng Batasan Pambansa.”
According to Rep. Carlos Zarate: “Hindi nga nila ni-recognize that there was a valid objection habang nagbobotohan. Malinaw na ang legitimacy ng pagiging speaker ni Cong. Arroyo… may question of legitimacy.”
It looks like the fight is far from over, and the Filipino people will be shown more naked displays of friction as politicians claw their way to the top by whatever means.
Meanwhile, this year’s Sona will be a memorable one—not so much for what the President said, not for a famed director’s production efforts, but for the drama that went on behind the scenes.
Dr. Ortuoste, a writer and researcher, has a PhD in Communication. FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO
