Senators Miriam and Pia’s true colors

Stunned.

Certainly those in the Senate Session Hall that morning were short of mortified during the inquiry on the World Bank report that was being chaired by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, with millions more watching the proceedings live through ANC.

Reporters in the Senate Press office were aghast!

“He is a Senator! She should not have treated him in that manner.”

Perhaps it could’ve been ok if it was one of the lesser performing Senators, or a younger one of lesser stature and accomplishment. But the honorable Senator Rodolfo Biazon?

Senator Biazon is distinguished in Philippine military and legislative histories as the only Commandant of the Philippine Marines, Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Philippine Military Academy Superintendent, Philippine Military Academy Alumnus, and THREE TIMES ELECTED SENATOR OF OUR COUNTRY!

On top of those achievements is his popularity for successfully quelling coup attempts against former President Corazon Aquino.

In fact, as I am typing this column, I learned that on this bright sunny Saturday, his alma mater in Baguio City will give him a special honor parade so that the cadets may draw inspiration from his accomplishments.

Senator Biazon brought his entire family, including Muntinlupa Representative Ruffy Biazon, only daughter Richie, and all his grandchildren to Baguio to witness this milestone.

When Senator Miriam kept cutting off Senator Biazon while he was trying to question Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, Senator Biazon gave way and merely stood and walked out of the Session Hall – like the true officer and gentleman that he is.

The media swooped in on Senator Biazon, confirming his walk out. But all he would reply was: “No Comment.”

Apparently, he refused to be dragged into an outright media word war with Senator Miriam.

Perhaps it was public pressure admonishing her rudeness or a personal realization of her own bad behavior that made Senator Miriam tell the media, “I’ve already given them Valentine kisses!” It seems to be her humble way of touting her apology.

Senator Miriam’s other Valentine kiss was for Senator Ping Lacson who was disgusted with the way she was seemingly maneuvering the committee hearing to focus the attention on the World Bank officers rather than those mentioned in its report such as First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.

Senator Miriam is a walking compendium of international law. Her knowledge of rulings from both US and Philippine jurisdictions when trying to buttress her legislative position is much admired by her peers.

But then again, no matter how intelligent, how educated, how articulate one is, there is simply no excuse for bad behavior.

A tweety bird chirped that Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile made a personal call to Senator Biazon to apologize for Senator Miriam’s unparliamentary exhibition of poor conduct.

Her true colors showed.


Many are now noticing Senator Pia Cayetano’s new, more “serious" legislator and "respectable winner look.”

Previously, Senator Pia trotted around sporting a shaggy Farrah Fawcett hairdo and sometimes has a tendency to casualize otherwise formal legislative activities.

She once arrived at a Blue Ribbon hearing on the NBN-ZTE issue, then chaired by her brother Senator Alan Peter, wearing slacks, a V-neck 3/4-sleeved pullover, and a big hobo shoulder bag. This caused some stir among Senator’s staffers who were in formal smart black suits and crisp white shirts. “What’s with her? Did she come from the mall?!”

Actually even during that World Bank hearing when the coiffed pink-suited Senator Miriam lashed at Senator Biazon and her own brother in a formal brown suit, she was in a casual loose grey black white blouse that had circle designs over slacks.

Aside from that, Senator Pia seems to have recently transformed herself.

She is more fetching now in a short bob hairdo. She dons more formal business-colored clothes. She is actively chairing hearings, participating more in the plenary, and has two times more television commercials than touted presidentiables Manny Villar and Mar Roxas!

As early as last year, Senator Pia has been defending her appearance at a Downy Fabric Softener advertisement with a "Conserve Water" theme.

Political kibitzers are noticing her early positioning for her re-election bid next year.

During the May 2004 senatorial derby, when Senator Pia first appeared in the political landscape, many were skeptical about her victory.

Alas! When she was proclaimed as one of the early winners, tongues wagged that Senator Pia did in fact "operate" early.

Senator Pia surely knows her political chess board, and she is starting to show her May 2010 colors.

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