Hearing The Hearings… Again

by Seneca Moraleda-Puguan

The Philippine Senate and Congress committee hearings, once a formal and distant process, have now become intriguing and juicy spectacles, with the spotlight firmly fixed on former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, her sister Shiela, and their friend Cassandra Ong. 

Their involvement in the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) issue has dragged an array of other personalities into the fray, creating a web of intrigue. 

Meanwhile, over at the budget hearing for the Office of the Vice President, another storm brews as Philippine VP Sara Duterte refuses to take an oath, dismissing the entire process as nothing more than a political attack disguised as legislative action. 

As chaotic and stressful as it all is, I can’t help but feel entertained by the theatrics. 

It’s like watching a perfectly scripted Korean drama unfold before my eyes—complete with drama, humor, horror, and a touch of absurdity. 

It’s all there, wrapped in the cloak of legislative duty. 

Yet beneath this entertainment lies a deep frustration, one that I cannot ignore. 

My heart aches and my blood boils as I witness the hypocrisy that permeates these hearings. Seated among the panelists are individuals who have been accused—some even convicted—of misusing government funds. 

And yet, they sit there, smug and confident, questioning others as if their hands are clean, their pasts forgotten. 

Their interrogations are often laughable, sometimes bordering on nonsensical. The hypocrisy is so thick, it’s irritating and suffocating. 

Yes, these individuals may have paid their legal dues, been forgiven by the public, and even voted back into power. But it enrages me to see how easily the rich and powerful can evade true accountability and reemerge unscathed, often stronger than before. 

It’s maddening to witness individuals who have shown themselves to be unworthy of public trust being given another chance to lead, as if their past transgressions never happened.

Pilipinas, why? 

This is a brutal reminder of how much work remains to educate our electorate. The disparity between justice for the powerful and justice for the ordinary person is stark and heartbreaking. 

For the average Filipino, a crime can ruin their future forever. But for those with wealth, influence, and a recognizable name, redemption seems all but guaranteed.

It’s a gut-wrenching reality that plays out again and again in our political arena. 

What’s equally disheartening is the sense of entitlement and pride that some of our leaders exhibit.

When those in power evade accountability and refuse transparency, particularly in how they use the people’s taxes, what hope does our country have for the future?

My heart cries for you, mahal kong Pilipinas. 

Despite all this, my husband and I have made a commitment to bless and love our nation, no matter the frustration and heartache it brings.

We love the Philippines deeply, but it is painful beyond words to witness the flourishing of corruption, dishonesty, and injustice in our beloved homeland. 

Politics is a topic I usually avoid because it divides more than it unites. But it’s something that must be discussed because its impact on our country’s future is undeniable.

I urge my fellow Filipinos to become better judges of character when choosing our leaders. I also hope for a revision of our constitution, barring convicted criminals from running for office ever again. 

We need leaders who embody conviction, righteousness, and integrity—men and women who love the people they serve.

Having lived for nearly four decades and seeing little change, it’s easy to feel discouraged, but I refuse to lose hope.

If it can happen in Pasig under Mayor Vico Sotto’s leadership, it proves that change is possible.

All it takes is one person choosing integrity and excellence for a wave of transformation to follow.

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