Gregorio
Honasan : Looking Forward
by
Georgia
As
far as most of us regular citizens know, Gregorio
Honasan was the thirteenth candidate who was voted into the
Senate. But when Senate 2001 asked him how he would treat his three
years as a senator, he immediately became defensive.
“No, that’s not yet sure,” he said, “there is something
highly irregular about the transmittal of the Comelec resolution.”
Okay, so maybe he’s superstitious and doesn’t want to be known
as the thirteenth senator, but this really isn’t about superstition.
What he’s arguing about could mean a difference of three years
as a senator. If he really is the thirteenth, he’ll only stay for
three years. If he’s the twelvth, he stay for six.
“It is our contention right now that Chairman Benipayo violated
the Constitution. We do not know if there are any outside influences
at work, but we will raise this issue before the Comelec and the Supreme
Court if necessary.” he added.
Senator Honasan is now on his second term, and he has enough reason
to contend the resolution. He gladly told us that this term would not
really be different from his first. “It will be marked by continuity,
an improvement over what I have started in the 10th and 11th Congress.
It will not be different.” What he’s saying is that he will
still work on bills that will address his major concerns such as the
national land use policy, the national security policy, benefits for
the overseas Filipino workers, and a magna carta for policemen.
But coming from the Pwersa ng Masa Coalition, would working with senators
from the other party be a problem for him? “The people elect us
here for a judgement call--we don’t have to be a lawyer or an economist.
You can be a soldier or an ordinary person,” he explains, “so,
in every issue, we will judge that issue and cast our vote so that we
can pass laws. It’s a very comfortable arrangement.”
Judging from our short talk with the senator, it was obvious that he
was really happy about getting voted in and that he will be able to
continue his work. Even if he is one of the opposition, it is comforting
to know that he is willing to work with those from the other side. The
only thing that’s an issue for him right now is whether he’ll
stay for three years only or longer so that he’ll be able to start
making his plans for the future.
Whatever the ruling may be, we can only hope that he will walk the walk
and not just talk the talk.
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