Rage of Angels in the Philippine Legislature

Last Tuesday's special legislative session came straight out of Rage of Angels. Yes, Sidney Sheldon. Remember Jennifer Parker, Michael Moretti, Robert Di Silva? Think of last Tuesday's drama as the yellow canary chapter with a legislative twist, a gender exchange for two of the three lead roles, and a foiled communique.

Sources say that X passed on to A(legislative page) a note for Representative Y. It seems that Y did not immediately read the note, but when he did get to read it a few minutes later, whatever was in that note was enough to send his temper skyrocketing. There was a storming of the central gallery's left staircase by His Furiousness, and X and his seatmate, as well as two women a few seats in front of them, had to leave - amidst much fanfare and media coverage.

As far as dramas go, that 30 second display of legislative ire by the Representative was positively camera - err, eye-catching. But His Furiousness's temper fizzled as quickly as it had sizzled, and a few minutes after the scene, while his sisters-on-the-floor were gracing the cameras with their explanations and opinions, he was already well on his way to becoming His Cheerfulness. Go figure.

Some of the legislative staff said that the note allegedly wanted His Furiousness to question the presence of a quorum in session. After all, there were barely 20 members of Congress actually on the floor, in attendance, at the time. It wasn't proper, one of the staff said. Why dictate to a Congressman? Why, indeed?

Could this fantastic departure be the reason why Streaks was seen shouting "Yes! Yes!" into a cellphone while pumping an arm up and down in that classic display of triumphant jubilation on the way to the glassed sitting area just beyond the gallery? A page-headturning exit from the gallery. When Streaks returned, it was to high five some people also seated in the central gallery.

Whatever that note contained, the session still went on, and votes were taken on the controversial bills for the night, the presence or absence of a quorum notwithstanding. Apparently, ink on paper hasn't the charm of a strangled canary as the lobbyists who got thrown out found.