A prostituted Congress in the making
For someone who claims he wants to ensure the independence and integrity of the three branches of government, the incoming president, Noynoy Aquino, appears to be going back on his word, or at the very least, wants control over the House of Representatives. A report, quoting incoming Rep. Sonny Belmonte, who is slated to be the Speaker, said Aquino wants to have a say in the selection of chairmen of various committees in the lower chamber. According to Belmonte, Aquino has asked him to be consulted on committees that have to do with governance, such as appropriations, ways and means and good government, among others, adding that “consultation” with Aquino on various chairmanships is essential since these committee chairmanships will have a “tremendous impact” on Aquino’s government. There go independence and integrity of a so-called co-equal body, going down the drain, with the head of the executive branch directly meddling in the affairs of a co-equal body. In the many years of changes in the administration and Congresses, as well as Speakers, to my recollection, there was never a time when the chief executive directly meddled in the affairs of Congress by having the last say on congressional committee chairmanships. While it is perhaps accurate to state that the installation of a Speaker in the House of Representatives is always the choice of the president — as politics is practiced in this country — there has never been a time when a president openly interfered in the choices for the House committee chairmanships — except under an Aquino ll presidency. Everyone knows — especially the Aquino-installed Speaker — that which is sought by the president-elect will be granted. After all, if the Aquino-anointed Speaker thumbs down that which Aquino wants, Belmonte will out as Speaker faster than he can say “no, please.”... MORE Source: The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100616com2.html |
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