Cassi belli

Cassi belli | Daily Tribune

When the House Quadcomm decided to channel the malevolent spirit of Torquemada and went all out inquisitorial on some resource persons — former President Duterte included — they probably thought they would have more than their fifteen minutes of fame. After all, the proceedings were being broadcast and streamed live, not only nationwide, but internationally.

Thus, knowing full well that millions of eyeballs would be on them, many on the Quadcomm lost no time in running to their tailors and couturieres and having themselves made bespoke suits and Filipiniana formal wear. It was truly funny because hitherto these same people would discharge their duties dressed in lousy clothes inappropriate for the august body to which they belonged. It was as if nice clothing would make them more erudite and credible.

And there they went, breaking every rule in the book (the Constitution included) in their treatment of witnesses. Never mind that the Fundamental Law mandates them to treat their invited speakers with respect and dignity, observe the entitlements under the Bill of Rights, and observe due process in accordance with the newly minted doctrine in the landmark case of Ong versus Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.

Contempt citations rained down from the dais like fire and brimstone, insults and threats became the currency of the day, and trenching on Constitutional rights became the norm. Whatever possessed these previously decent (at least publicly) House members, one can only surmise, although in all probability the motivation may have very well been largely pecuniary, else it wouldn’t be the House of Representatives.

The Quadcomm members’ plans to project themselves as lawmakers of legend — brave, learned, insightful, crusading — backfired big time. While the limelight amplifies the greatness of those who are masterful, it exposes the shortcomings of the petty and unlearned.

Thus were put into focus, in disturbing (and oftentimes hilarious) detail, Dan Fernandez’s shallowness and lack of command of the English language; Benny Abante’s sanctimony and love of luxury unseemly for a self-proclaimed preacher; Carap Paduano’s Communist hit squad past; and the lack of a sense of decency and civility of many in the Quadcomm.

What ultimately resulted in the most potent backlash was the contrast between the boorishness of the House committee members and the personalities of those they had targeted for harassment.

Duterte was cool and composed —except when he showed his legendary temper for effect — verily running circles around the Quadcomm. Others exhibited commendable professionalism in the face of unmitigated bullying, refusing to hew to the obvious narrative being force-fed them.

Perhaps one person, aside from Duterte, who best weathered the withering barrage of browbeating was my client Cassandra “Cassi” Li Ong. Young, lithe and very pretty, yet smart and alert, she became the darling of media (both traditional and social) for the way she answered the scathing queries of the committees softly and logically, her bedimpled smile disarming and charming.

When the committees started to put the pressure on her, the former started to look like movie villains oppressing the cute little girly protagonist. Indeed, Cassi has bred her own cult following on TikTok and other socmed platforms, with admirers dutifully glamorizing her every move.

Clearly, the public sympathy was with her, especially after the rigors of the Star Chamber started to take their toll on her, and she started fainting and her blood sugar nosedived, necessitating hospital confinement.

The House committees’ continued denial of her rights to counsel, to remain silent, and against self-incrimination further cemented the public image of her as an underdog. For who would believe that such a fragile-looking wisp of a woman could be involved in the sordid crimes they were imputing to her: torture, human trafficking, large-scale illegal gambling.

In using the Quadcomm hearings as a casus belli, the House clearly lost to Cassi. The huge damage to the Lower Chamber’s credibility and reputation will definitely take several Congresses and numerous good congressmen to repair. Camote…