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FACT: Have you noticed how the House of Representatives, on normal days, isn't really that full? And now that they know they're on LIVE television, Congress is seemingly very engrossed with the issue at hand, which is, by the way, all about ousting incumbent House Speaker, Jose De Venecia.

But, that's not the issue here.

Yes, JDV did disappoint me. It was stupid of him to accuse the president of everything wrong she did in the past, diverting the attention from him, to her. Her mistakes aren't an excuse, neither is it the issue.

However, I say that these congressmen are even more stupid.

JDV has, in the past, affected a lot of change and pushed for great reforms in his past terms, including a lot of fiscal policies. Indeed, he makes the right choices and stands firm on his beliefs. He is entitled to his own opinions and I admire him for his strong personality and apathy towards what his fellow lawmakers think of him. So he was in the past as well. He may not be one with the majority's mindset, but at least he has a mind of his own.

Unlike these stupid congressmen (no offense to those who have relatives in Congress).

Look at some of the Congressmen's reasons for voting for a certain stand:

1. "Mr. Speaker, I am in confusion. Congressman So and So is my 3rd cousin and is rightful to take the speakership. On the other hand, Mr. Speaker, JDV is my ninong. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I will ABSTAIN."
2. "Mr. Speaker, I vote yes to oust the incumbent speaker from his position. I vote yes because you must not underestimate the neophyte congressmen. We can make a difference, too."
3. "Mr. Speaker, I was ready to vote no today. However, because of JDV's speech a while ago, I feel I must explain my answer. JDV has been accusing President GMA. And I feel I must defend my cabalen. Because I come from the so and so district of Pampanga, I vote yes, as a defense to my cabalen. Might I also say, Mr. Speaker, that you should not underestimate the neophyte congressmen, for we, too, could be speakers as well. Thank you."
4. "Mr. Speaker, based on the experiences of my father... (blah blah blah). If the numbers are not with them, they voluntarily step down because they feel that if their own party -mates will not support them, then they will not last one second in Senate. And it seems, Mr. Speaker, that the numbers are against you. I vote yes, because at the end of the day, the numbers are all that matter."
5. "...Sinasabi ko na dapat nating ipagpaliban ang botohan sa mosyon na ito para sa susunod na lamang na pagpupulong. Hayaan natin na ipaliwanag ni JDV ang kanyang mga mali. Alam ko na yang si JDV ay isang maduming tao, tulad ng lahat naman sa atin. Aba'y kayo, mahiya naman kayo. Alam niyong may pagkakamali rin kayo. Pero, pag ako, dati, sinabing masamang tao si JDV, pinagtatawanan niyo ako. Wala lang akong sapat na ebidensiya. Ngayon, this is the chance to show the Pilipino people what JDV really is. I vote no, because gusto kong ipaliwanang niya muna ang kanyang panig. Sa susunod na lamang natin siya patalsikin. So, Mr. Speaker, right now, I vote no. Pero, kung lahat lahat na po, yes, na lang."

Now you see why we have such twisted politicians. They don't even make sense. And these are just SOME of their explanations. I wonder if the secretary taking the entire meeting down took note of their speeches. I'm sure there are more stupid comments about their votes.

I wish, also, that they just simply say what they want out of the votation. They all keep on saying they want change. But what kind of change? Can this change not happen if they were to be under JDV? Can he not do it? What do they really want? Is there really a need to oust the incumbent speaker? And after he is ousted, then what? Who takes his place? Will this person be able to affect the change they want? Or do they simply want the position to be vacant so as they have a bigger chance of becoming the Speaker of the House?

You know what, the Filipino people don't really give a damn on who becomes Speaker of the House. Heck, we don't even mind if no one gets elected Speaker of the House, as long as someone facilitates the discussion. People care about THE CHANGE THE CONGRESSMEN CAN AFFECT and TANGIBLE PROOF THAT THEY ARE DOING THEIR JOBS, such as passsing bills to counter poverty, unemployment and what not. Maybe even push for Charter Change. EVIDENT CHANGE, not just theoretical or verbal. It doesn't matter who becomes Speaker if half of Congress won't show up on normal days.

It's sad how our own politicians lack a sense of direction and prioritization. They are present and bicker about petty things such as who gets to be speaker. However, half of them couldn't even show up to pass a bill.

These stupid congressmen...

Politics... sometimes I wonder why I love it so much.