“All art is political in the sense that it serves someone’s politics” – August Wilson
What does a lawmaker do? In the Philippines, lawmakers are Congressmen and Senators whose roles are very crucial as they are significant factors in reshaping the socio-economic and political landscape of the country. But what actually are their major responsibilities? A lawmaker creates legislation by drafting and passing laws to address primarily social and economic challenges the country faces. They act as voices of their constituents fully conscious of their concerns that reflect in the process of creation of laws they undertake.
MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE
If you think that law making is the only job of a congressman then you are wrong. While it is true that creation of important laws reflecting the needs and concerns of the people is their major responsibility there are also other major responsibilities a lawmaker is bound to undertake. Congress as an institution and its members as a collective body monitor how the laws are implemented through various government instrumentalities and agencies including their officials making sure these are within the bounds of law. Also, in lawmaking, one of the most important roles of a lawmaker is budget allocation.
Moreover, Congress makes sure funds are well-distributed to make sure that local and national budgets are spent out responsibly with transparency. What is more than meets the eye is that congresspersons mediate conflicts among government agencies, organizations and local communities integral to the discharge of their duties in relation to programs and services especially facilitated by their offices. They are bound to respond to emergency situations by enacting immediate measures such as a pandemic or any other disaster or environment related incidents that need immediate national attention.
These are the duties and responsibilities of a lawmaker. Well-defined, well-targeted with adequate support systems to ensure effectivity of implementation with visible and positive impacts among constituents. A rich substance of their pursuit for social justice, fairness and prevention of discrimination that favors the underprivileged.
EFFECTIVITY NOT GRANDSTANDING
If a congressman sits during sessions or committee hearings, listens intently and digests how he can come up with a law beneficial to his constituents is called a “pungko, pamati, puli” congressman then someone has a problem. Moreso, that if his experience as member of the August body has provided well-being to the people he represents then this speaks well of his worthy label as representative of the people. It is not always a matter of legal and intellectual discourse but how it impacts constituents in “aid of legislation”. A debate without impact is pure and sheer political grandstanding wrapped by layers of “intellectual arrogance” is a risky political act. It becomes worse as grandstanding if it is a product designed for polarized social and political impact not equipped with the arsenal of independence and honesty. That is double-whammy that such loudness and noise create annoyance making him in fact a “rubber-stamp” legislator with excessive deliberations and repetitive one-liner of “I will cite you in contempt,” for example.
The cliffs of the campaign trails of this fast-approaching mid-term election is getting nastier especially here in Bacolod. And what is presented to the electorate are congress circumstances believing that some who make noise and publicity are the ones that stand better than those working silently and effectively for the people they represent fully conscious of its legislative framework. Effectivity, not grandstanding, is what the people need.
INSIGHTS AND BITES
Polarization becomes pronounced and dirty tactics get heavier by the day. The first one to succumb are not only the losers but guilt-bearers. Anyone who stoops to this lower level ploy will only lose focus and energy. Worse, trumping up this annoyance down will go down electoral history as rubbish, and it is by no means worthy of any amount of attention. The least any dignified and honorable candidate can do is to act that this does not exist and remain focused not chasing victory but already riding the wheels of it.
Armed with a track record and experience with the people’s love and support, a worthy public servant comfortably and confidently commits himself to honor his title, protects the purse of the people’s trust, and continues to envision the well-being of the community of people he serves, regardless of the accusations thrown at him. He gains and acquires more wisdom and becomes a more able committed public servant. After all, he may have come from the people he serves.*
