Without Bounds: The De Lima Controversy

The capture and testimonies of Ronnie Dayan, former driver-bodyguard of incumbent Senator Leila De Lima, has created waves of controversies that literally burned the headlines across all forms of media. But what really hugged the limelight is the way the issue was handled by some members of the House of Representatives. So did things really got out of hand?

The Philippine Government works on the principle of separation of powers by the Legislative, Executive and Judiciary branches. These are interdependent bodies that serve as check-and-balance over the other. The Legislative branch is sanctioned to create the necessary laws, alter them to implement reforms, and repeal them as deemed necessary. The Executive branch, made up by the President and Vice-President duly elected by popular vote of the people, is tasked to execute and uphold laws that govern the Filipino people. And lastly, the Judiciary branch (Supreme Court and lower courts), which serve as the instrument of reconciliation and settling controversies of governance.

Congress of the Philippines is an institution divided by the Upper House (Senate of the Philippines) and Lower House (House of Representatives). There are 24 Senators versus 297 Congressmen (geographical representation of districts across the country). The Senate hosted the hearing of alleged “drug lord of the Visayas” Kerwin Espinosa; while the House of Representatives conducted the inquiry on Ronnie Dayan.

The hearing of Ronnie Dayan is supposed to be a closure of a series of investigations on alleged drug money payoffs to help boost the chances of then Secretary of Justice Leila De Lima on her Senatorial campaign. However, everyone seems to be at odds due to the line of questioning presented by some distinguished lawmakers from the Lower House.

Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas probed on the intensity of the relationship between Dayan and Sen. De Lima which initially surged to Signal #5 at its height and dwindled to a low Signal #1.

“Nung mga panahon na yan, malakas pa [ba] ang pagiibigan niyo ni secretary o humina na?” Fariñas asked. "Medyo signal number 1 na lang po sir medyo mahina-hina na po," De Lima's former driver answered. When asked how intense it once was, Dayan said: "Umabot din po siguro mga signal number 5 sir."

House Deputy Speaker Rep. Fredenil Castro then asked Ronnie Dayan whether their love is “pure”.

"Ang iyo bang pag-ibig kay Senador De Lima ay wagas, dalisay at matatag?" Rep. Castro asked. Dayan immediately replied: "Parang ganun na po." He then added: "Yung pag-ibig kong wagas ay di niya sinuklian ng wagas din na pag-ibig." Before ending his questioning, Castro also asked: "Ibig mo bang sabihin sa pagdinig na ito na ang iyong relasyon kay Sec. De Lima ay hindi lamang para saluhan siya na magtampisaw sa pagmamahalan kundi siya ay saluhan din sa pagpawi sa init ng katawan?" Dayan said yes.

Ang Edukasyon Rep. Salvador Belaro, Jr. further enquired:

Malakas na pagmamahalan ... Ganito na lang: 2007. Anong intensity 'yun? 1, 2, 3, 4, 5? 2008. So, ilan nga? Intensity ano, 2?" 2009. Ganun din?" "Palakas nang palakas hanggang intensity 5. Kailan kayo nag-climax? Intensity 5, anong year?"

When Dayan stated that then Secretary of Justice De Lima advised him through a text message “to snub the House summons regarding the probe on the narcotics trade within the New Bilibid Prison”, the House Justice Committee issued a “show-cause order” against De Lima and asked for her immediate resignation “to maintain the integrity of the Senate”.

The totality of the probe by the House of Representatives irked their Senator counterparts. Senators’ chided “foul, unparliamentary, condescending, sexist and disrespectful.”

"The conduct of some members of the House Committee on Justice was unparliamentary. The disrespectful and condescending line of questioning - which at one point seemed to justify an act of domestic violence — has no place in the halls of Congress.”

"One house of Congress cannot proceed against a member of another house without violating the principles of co-equality and inter-chamber courtesy. The correct procedure is to bring the matter officially before the entire Senate and not directly to one senator," the LP senators said in a joint statement.

The House of Representatives, stated otherwise, pointing also to a violation of interparliamentary courtesy.

"First time din ito nangyari na merong senator na nakialam sa proceedings ng House. Hindi pa nangyayari iyon. Wala pang senador na nag-advise doon sa witness ng House of Representatives para magtago," said Alvarez.

"Merong breach of parliamentary courtesy na ginawa itong si Senator De Lima for interfering in the proceedings in the House. Ang nainsulto dito ang institution itself," he added.

Even though the law must be upheld regardless of stature or position, the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives must observe proper decorum at all times, especially they are appointed to position by the Filipino people. Actions always speak louder than words. Respect begets respect.