Talk First, Think Later

Privilege Speech (Part 2)

Meanwhile, Pia, whose seat is right next to one of the side podiums in the session hall, spent most of the session finishing up some paperwork necessary for proposing amendments to some laws currently on the floor.

With her and Leni becoming closer than ever, nothing beats seeing her new friend make huge strides as a neophyte senator and hold her own even alongside senators who've been in the game far longer than she has.

She found herself deep in thought until Loren's voice filled the room once more. "May I ask Senator JV Ejercito to preside over the session so I can interpellate the privilege speech of Senator Robredo."

As soon as Loren rose up to approach the podium, Pia quickly got up and sat beside Risa in the front row. Without the appropriate hearing protection, she didn't want to take her chances. "Sorry, ah, tabi muna tayo. Wala akong earplugs."

Once JV recognized her, Loren cleared her throat and began her interpellation.

"Mr. President, I speak right now as a longtime advocate of the environment and the importance of disaster risk reduction and management with a body of work that can speak for itself.

I would just like to ask the good senator from Naga this important question - it's common knowledge that social justice and climate justice are intertwined, so why even take the time to say a privilege speech that's just a rehash of what has already been said before?"

Pia and Risa sighed and rolled their eyes at the same time. "Oh, God, here we go..."

In a calm, measured tone, Leni turned on her mic and responded to Loren's question. "Mr. President, to answer the question posed by the senator from Antique, the reason I even wrote this speech in the first place is that I want to supplement the speeches, research, and accounts that have been shared in the past with experiences I've seen on the ground back when I was an alternative lawyer, as a congresswoman, and as Vice President."

Leni then narrated a few accounts from women she encountered in the communities on the devastating effects of disasters, particularly in provinces where poverty remains very high. She skillfully weaves her body of experience with various points in her privilege speech and manages to get from Point A to Point B in an orderly fashion.

At the end of this round, Leni concluded with the following statement. "Ung sa akin lang, Mr. President, I think it's important that I bring this up because most of the time, environmentalism has frequently been used as a smokescreen for more self-serving means. Halimbawa, one can claim to be an environmentalist, but at the same time look the other way during times na kailangan manindigan. Huwag naman ganon, Mr. President."

Loren interjected right after this part, getting even more irritated than she already was at the rostrum. "Mr. President, let me just clarify to the good senator from Naga that my work as a lawmaker speaks for itself. 

"I've crafted several environmental laws like the Ecological Solid Waste Management Law, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Climate Change Law, among many others. I take exception at this blatant attempt towards maligning the things I have done in this august chamber."

If ever Leni's already fed up, it's not apparent on Leni's face, from Pia's vantage point. "Mr. President, what I've been saying does not take away from all the hard work that the Senator from Antique has laid out several times in several speeches this past Congress.

"As a follow-up to the sentiments of Senator Legarda, I then pose this question - why go into this tirade when all I wanted to do is propose a different perspective? Why the need to treat my statements as a personal attack, Mr. President?"

"It's not that I consider the statements of the Senator from Naga as an attack, Mr. President. I just take exception to the fact that she needs to do this on the floor and not in private conversation?", Loren replied back, her voice getting more strident and irate.

Before Leni had a chance to speak, JV banged the gavel three times. "Order!"

Pia bolted up and approached Win on the podium in front. "Win, pa-suspend ng session, please."

Win then turned on his mic and intervened before Leni got a chance to speak. "Mr. President, I would like to request a few minutes' suspension."

"Is there any objection? There being none, the session is suspended."

As soon as the session was suspended, Pia got up and led Loren to an empty committee room and quickly shut the door. "Loren, excuse me but what the fuck did you just do?"

"Didn't you just see Leni just defame me like that? Is there anything wrong with defending myself?"

Pia stepped back and held on to a chair. "What if I tell you that I side with her?"

"Of course you would. Kayo na ung bagong BFFs, eh."

"You're being an ass, Loren! That was the most unprofessional display I have ever seen in my entire career as a senator."

Loren's eyes narrowed. "She was being cryptic."

Still unfazed, Pia pushed back. "Was she being cryptic, or do you just refuse to acknowledge it because it came from her mouth?"

"I just need things to be straightforward.", Loren fired back.

"Ah, straightforward pala, ha? Let me give you straightforward - you are so insecure of Leni, and so threatened of her, that you would stoop this low and try to humiliate her to make yourself look good."

Loren's nostrils flared and her eyes darted with fire. "No, I'm not!"

Pia's voice lowered to an almost desperate whisper. "Do you even listen to yourself, Loren? Try looking in front of the mirror and get some damn self-awareness for once."

She then walked right out of the committee room and slammed the door right behind her before heading right back to the session hall. As soon as she got on her seat right next to Leni, Pia sighed and stared into space.

"Di ko na siguro tatanugin kung okay ka lang.", Leni said.

"It's fine, Leni. I'm used to it," Pia replied. "She really just doesn't like being called out. It's nothing new for me."

Leni rubbed Pia's left shoulder. "Kausapin ko ba pag medyo nag-settle na?"

Pia shook her head. "I'll take care of this. I've known her for 18 years and loved her for 15 of them. I just can't give up that easily."

"Sure ka?", Leni inquired.

Pia nodded. "I know what I've gotten myself into."