Most of the country is already on vacation mode, as many schools are now on break for the summer. While we in the Loyola Schools have about a month to go before our break starts in May, some of us may have had a taste of summer a few weeks back during Holy Week.
Summer breaks, however, are not only for students. They’re for members of Congress too.
For those following the news, you might have noticed a pause in the discussion of highly controversial bills such as death penalty and the lowering of the minimum age of criminal liability (MACR). Unfortunately, it’s not because our dear legislators have had a change of heart and left the issue altogether. They are simply on recess until May 1.
Of course, it does not mean that planning and strategizing are on break too. One can only imagine the administration’s efforts to convince legislators to support their pet bills during this crucial period. It is very possible that the president’s “intimate” dinner with majority-bloc senators a few days before the recess was part of these persuasion efforts. Besides, it has been reported that senators are still split on the issue of the death penalty. Their own deliberations on the measure are expected to begin after the break.
It is said that senators are more likely to listen to public opinion than their counterparts in the House. They have a higher profile nationally because they are elected at-large like our presidents and vice presidents, and thus are more sensitive to the ever-changing dynamics of public opinion.
The question now is—will the senators find significant public opposition for them to take a brave stand against the administration on issues such as the death penalty and the lowering of the MACR?
Our senators already know that the Ateneo as an institution—as well as many of its students—are against these measures. We have even flashed our stances on our giant LED screen to let the world know what we stand for and why we stand for it. Some of us have changed our profile pictures to black, and participated in rallies and mobilizations in the streets.
But it seems that other opposing voices are far and few across the land.
Consider this: Just before Holy Week, Pulse Asia released its report on the satisfaction and trust ratings of President Rodrigo Duterte for the first quarter of 2017. Despite new revelations on the former Davao City mayor’s alleged involvement with the Davao Death Squad, the president continues to enjoy high popularity across the board.
For now, the whole nation seems to be on a “wait-and-see” mode. It seems the country is also on a break—a break from delving into the complicated and blood-stained implications of the president’s “war on drugs.” Is this a sign of our breaking away from human life—something we have valued and cherished as a people for so long?
It seems that we are beginning to fall into a deep sleep—where we begin to dream of a safer society devoid of criminals. But sooner than later, we will wake up to a grim reality. It is certain that our complacency and nonchalance towards this growing culture of violence will catch up on us.
Thus, it is important for these opposing voices—including those within this community—to be proactive and to stay vigilant. Just like the other side, we have to double our efforts in doing the dirty work of listening, engaging, persuading, and organizing.
We simply cannot afford to take a break in defending human life.
