If Liberal Party senatorial bet Martin Bautista is a doctor of medicine, then he should try seeing another doctor, one that should examine his head to find out if he himself is fit to run for senator.
Perhaps for lack of vital and detrimental issue against the Senate President, Bautista made Juan Ponce Enrile’s age a matter of contention instead, when the former urged the latter to give up running in the political race, like seeking re-election in May, to give way to “young blood” to become members of the senate.
Am presuming Bautista himself is comparatively younger than Enrile, but what makes him think he will make it to the senate?
In his profession, Bautista should be the first one to know that age alone won’t incapacitate a person. Age should never be used as a factor to disqualify one’s self for it is simply a number.
Enrile’s major body organs are still seemingly functioning well and most of all his mental faculties are still sharp and unassailable. None so far is threatening to put him out of commission.
So what does Bautista really mean about “young blood?” Is it the likes of Senators Bong Revilla, Jinggoy Estrada and Lito Lapid – all movie actors? Or is it the likes of Senators Gringo Honasan, Panfilo Lacson and Antonio Trillanes – all former military men?
I have nothing against trained soldiers in the senate for in Senator Rodolfo Biazon, I have come to respect a patriot and a true servant of the people. The rest have only become problems to government, one way or the other.
But making the senate a place for refuge from law suits and immunity, for revenge and retribution instead of leaving a legacy as outstanding lawmakers is simply one great disservice to the nation.
Neither do I have anything against movie personalities in the lawmaking body that is the senate, but what is it really that these actors turned senators have done concretely and remarkably significant for the nation?
These are the types of people and profession whom Martin Bautista should have trained his sights on, if only to give others a chance to run.
Age, in fact, is not a problem.
The problem is when we put a square peg in a round hole.
Knowledge, intelligence, competence, skill, talent, commitment, responsibility, integrity – all these are what it takes to be a respected and highly admired legislator in the senate.
Unfortunately for Bautista, Manong Johnny possesses most, if not all, of these qualifications and he is still sprightly at 86 years of age. He is still perky to say: “Gusto ko happy ka!”
I never questioned Enrile’s capacity for public service solely because of his age. It was in response to his claim that he had occupied senior government positions for the last 44 years. Clear evidence that despite his purported “Knowledge, intelligence, competence, skill, talent, commitment, responsibility, integrity” our country is lagging far behind on healthcare and education parameters.
That our country is desperately failing to lift the lives of close to 60% of Filipinos who subsist on less than $2 a day even with all of Enrile’s attributes that he has been sharing with us these last 44 years.
When do we wake up and stop getting fooled by these traditional politicians?
My only contention is why pick on the man? Enrile is not government. What have the actors and ex-military men done? The problem is that we had been having one government after another but not for the people but for the member’s own selfish agenda.
au contraire, Enrile has been “government” for the last 44 years, starting as Customs Commissioner in 1966, Secretary of National Defense under Marcos and Cory, congressman and Senator.
Defensor-Santiago, Joker and Enrile are prime examples of overstaying politicians who provide our country with ultimately false assurance that wise, selfless and benevolent leaders are taking care of us.
like I said, where did all their collective wisdom and benevolence take us?
There is no such thing as overstaying politicians. The three you have mentioned have earned their dues and each has still what it takes to be members of the senate. No doubt we need young bloods with brilliant minds in this august body. If you are one of them I sincerely wish you luck.
Yes Juan Ponce Enrile is old enough for any government position but he still show his ability to handle matters carefully, old and cool minded person. That’s the kind of person to handle political struggle in Philippines form of government. He has been in the government for long years and he never change his life style, his attitude. He serve the country on his top most honor and ability to serve the Filipino People. If only all senators has this same level of attitude and honor as Juan Ponce Enrile have we might be one of the most develop country. I consider Enrile a very simple minded politician whose goal and dreams that our life as Filipinos will be elevates as the Singaporean and other Asian countries. We should lead among other politician but where are we now, we are left behind by any other Asian countries just because we have only one Juan Ponce Enrile. All other are just serving political position for their own good for powers, and money for self enrichment purposes. They make the Philippine government as their milking cow for their greed,ambitious purposes in life .
I hope someday we could change our way of thinking & understanding of our motives and intention in running any government position that we should be responsible and accountable for every move and action we made.
TO HILL AND TO THE GRAVE FOR ALL THE CORRUPT GOVERNMENT SERVANT OF OUR COUNTRY LET THEM BRING THEIR ILL GOTTEN WEALTH TO THEIR THORNY GRAVE. SPEND IT IN HILL NOT IN THE PHILIPPINE
With the kind of politics played in this country today, it is hard to get the likes of Enrile and his generation get voted for office and truly serve as public servants. That is why we have soldiers, actors, media personalities and progeny far from being chip off the old block in terms of intelligence/talent because the electorate favors notoriety more than goodness and propriety. I thought the country booted out the Marcoses for good, but look where they are now?