Political analyst Ronald Llamas misses the set of brilliant senators of the past.
In an interview with “PolitiSkoop” online program, Llamas pointed out the stark contrast between the luminaries in the old Senate and the current batch of senators, citing the intellectual caliber of the past lawmakers.
Among the “giants” of the past Senate he mentioned were Claro M. Recto, Lorenzo Tañada, Jose Diokno, and Ninoy Aquino.
He expressed dismay with some of today’s senators who seemed to prioritize trivial matters over substantive debates, favoring superficiality over critical discussions.
“Akala mo kasi yung Senado ngayon ay yunga Senado dati,” he told program hosts Michael Fajatin and Ina Andalong.
“Ngayon kasi ‘yung mga senador lumuluhod sa mga kapulisan. Hindi ba nakita mo mga lumuluhod, mga nagsusuklay ng bigote? Ganyan na ang mga senador. Huwag ka na humingi ng masyadong marami. Kaya ayaw nila ng debate doon. Ang gusto nila pormahan na lang,” he added.
Llamas made clear that he was not alleging a decline in the quality of today’s senators. He said he was merely expressing concern about the image being projected by some lawmakers.
“Sinasabi ko lang na ang nakikita ngayon sa Senado ay yung nagsusuklay ng bigote. Yun ang nagmamarka, yung lumuluhod. Yan ang mga nagmamarka,” Llamas said.
He then asked if there have been “significant ideas, platforms, or visions” emanating from the Senate. “‘Yan ang kailangan ngayon,” he added.
Llamas also hinted at the apparent lack of potential presidential contenders from the Senate.
He noted that the Senate has traditionally served as a platform for evaluating future presidents and other national leaders. But he claimed that an assessment has become increasingly challenging in the current climate.
“Sa Senado mo, sinusukat, ito ba ay pwedeng maging president, ito ba’y pwedeng maging bise presidente? Usually diyan, pero ngayon medyo hindi ganoon kadali,” he said.
