Dereliction of duty

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

They were elected not just to rename roads and spend their allocated pork barrels on whatever their hearts desired, but their job description as legislators demand that they discuss and render a collective decision when it comes to controversial issues that confront the nation.

But because of their fear of the influential Catholic Church, which they believe has the power to destroy their political careers with a negative endorsement, the members of the House of Representatives have yet again refused to make their stand known regarding the controversial Church-opposed RH bill by taking the easy path, agreeing to set it aside once again.

The RH bill was originally filed during the 8th Congress (1987-1992), during the Aquino administration, and had already been scheduled for debates in the plenary.  That would be the closest it has ever gotten to being passed in its 23-year existence.  Now, because they have allowed the 14th Congress to run out of time, they are essentially passing the buck.

People who do not have the guts to make their stand regarding anything controversial known because they are afraid of losing votes should not bother running for Congress.  We need lawmakers who are able to decide and defend their reasons for allowing bills to become laws, and not resort to condemning controversial bills to limbo because they are afraid of making a stand on public record. 

We are not asking them to pass the RH bill.  All we ask of them is to debate on its merits and make their stands by voting on it.  If it passes, then it becomes law.  If not, then they would still have fulfilled their obligation to the nation by doing their job. That is the least we can expect from our supposed lawmakers.*