Missing in Action
In war, the Athenian historian and general Thucydides said: It is better to be at the right place with 10 men than absent with 10,000. Given that we lost the vote to the RH proponents, 113-104, with 3 abstentions, there is still a burning question that needs to be answered: where were the other congressmen in time of such a crucial vote like the RH bill?
More than 60 congressmen were not present to cast their votes on the divisive and ungodly HB 4244. Was there a deliberate effort on the part of these legislators to be absent on this day of days, when it has already been announced well beforehand that the voting was to be held last night?
And what are these reports we have been hearing that there may have been magicians in our midst? We have been getting these rumors as early as August – that there may be suspicious personalities in the anti-rh bloc, but it was too unbelievable back then. After all, some of these guys were very staunch opponents of the bill. Now that the cat is out of the bag, thanks to nominal voting, we know of those supposedly anti-RH magicians who unveiled their best trick yet: a disappearing act after the president’s cohorts, namely Mar Roxas, Abad, Lacierda, and Carandang exerted their influence and asked them to disappear during the voting.
We have yet to hear an explanation from these people who were supposedly our allies, and we give them the benefit of doubt. Offering no explanation can and will be considered an admission of guilt, however. It is very disappointing, but at the same time this reality has opened our eyes to the reality of dirty, dirty politics in the Philippines, and under this wretched system, it seems that many can be bought to abandon their principles and faith in exchange for a lucrative position in government, more funding, or whatever perks are thrown in to make the offer too enticing to pass up. This is evil itself at work. It is our hope that one day the Lord will not abandon these people just as they have abandoned the Lord and have petered out when times demanded that they persevere. We could not even begin to think how they could have been Judases in their own right, selling out the faith for wealth and power. May God have mercy on their souls.
Here is a list of those who were absent during those fateful hours of voting:
1.Aggabao, Giorgidi B. (Isabela)
2. Agyao, Manuel S. (Kalinga)
3. Albano, Rodolfo B.(Isabela)
4. Almonte, Jorge T. (Misamis Occidental)
5. Amatong, Rommel C. (Compostela Valley)
6. Andaya, Rolando Jr. G. (Camarines Sur)
7. Apostol, Sergio F. (Leyte)
8. Arenas, Ma. Rachel J. (Pangasinan)
9. Arroyo, Diosdado Macapagal (Camarines Sur)
10. Aumentado, Erico B. (Bohol)s
11. Bravo, Narciso Jr. R. (Masbate)
12. Briones, Nicanor M. (AGAP PL)
13. Cagas, Marc Douglas IV C. (Davao del Sur)
14. Canonigo, Ranulfo P. (KAKUSA PL)
15. Cojuangco, Enrique M. (Tarlac)
16. Cortuna, Julieta R. (A-TEACHER PL)
17. Dayanghirang, Nelson L. (Davao Oriental)
18. Daza, Raul A. (Northern Samar)
19. Durano, Ramon VI H. (Cebu)
20. Dy, Napoleon S. (Isabela)
21. Emano, Yevgeny Vincente B. (Misamis Oriental)
22. Enerio-Cerilles, Aurora (Zamboanga del Sur)
23. Enverga, Wilfrido Mark M. (Quezon)
24. Evardone, Ben P. (Eastern Samar)
25. Fariñas, Rodolfo C. (Ilocos Norte)
26. Fernandez, Danilo Ramon S. (Laguna)
27. Ferriol, Abigail Faye C. (KALINGA-PL)
28. Golez, Roilo S. (Paranaque)
29. Jaafar, Nur G. (Tawi-Tawi)
30. Jalosjos, Romeo Jr. M. (Zamboanga Sibugay)
31. Kho, Antonio T. (Masbate)
32. Labadlabad, Rosendo S. (Zamboanga del Norte)
33. Lapus, Jeci A. (Tarlac)
34. Lazatin, Carmelo F. (Pampanga)
35. Leonen-Pizarro, Catalina G. (ABS PL)
36. Macapagal-Arroyo, Gloria M. (Pampanga)
37. Magsaysay, Eulogio ‘Amang’ R. (AVE PL)
38. Marcoleta, Rodante D. (ALAGAD PL)
39. Mendoza, Joselito ‘Jonjon’ R. (Bulacan)
40. Ocampo, Rosenda Ann (Manila)
41. Ocampos, Loreto Leo ‘Leo’ S. (Misamis Occidental)
42. Olivarez, Edwin L. (Paranaque)
43. Ortega, Victor Francisco C. (La Union)
44. Osmeña, Tomas R. (Cebu City)
45. Pancho, Pedro M. (Bulacan)
46. Pangandaman, Mohammed Hussein P. (Lanao del Sur)
47. Pangandaman, Nasser C. (AA-KASOSYO PL)
48. Pichay, Philip A. (Surigao del Sur)
49. Ping-ay, Jose R. (COOP-NATCO PL)
50. Quisumbing, Gabriel R. (Cebu)
51. Radaza, Arturo O. (Lapu-Lapu City)
52. Relampagos, Rene L. (Bohol)
53. Roman, Herminia B. (Bataan)
54. Salvacion, Andres Jr. D. (Leyte)
55. Sambar, Mark Aeron H. (PBA PL)
56. San Luis, Edgar S. (Laguna)
57. Singson, Ryan Luis V. (Ilocos Sur)
58. Tan, Milagrosa ‘Mila’ T. (Western Samar)
59. Umali, Reynaldo V. (Oriental Mindoro)
60. Vargas-Alfonso, Baby Aline (Cagayan)
61. Villafuerte, Luis R. (Camarines Sur)
62. Zamora, Ma. Carmen S. (Compostela Valley)
(list courtesy of http://www.interaksyon.com/article/50347/rh-bill–who-were-absent-or-did-not-participate-in-the-vote)
If you happen to see some people whom you thought were hardcore Catholics and staunchly anti-RH, and you are asking why these people failed to vote – your guess is as good as ours.
i think we should spare ma.carmen zamora of compostela valley. we are very much aware of what had happened in that place.
IT MAKES ME TREMBLE NOW. HOW MUCH MORE BEFORE THE LORD.MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON THEM.
i agree with vincent.
however, im really disappointed seeing our congresswoman herminia roman (and same with all the rest who were absent) not casting her vote on this very crucial issue..
well, let’s give her the benefit of the doubt..
We should take note of these people in coming elections.
Natural evil acknowledges the RH Bill as this nation’s desire for population reduction. It won’t react according to the provisions of that Bill. Nature will abide in plain languages: drought, famine, pestilence, war, destruction, calamity or by any act of perpetrated death.
Please understand, Mr. President.
Thanks Pro-life for providing us with a list of absentee lawmakers who are still drawing their salaries though absent on the very crucial moment of our nation. They, who are our so called servants. Just like a laborer, there should be NO WORK, NO PAY for them. Especially without justifiable reason. Anyway at least an effort be made to make a justification.