Forthwith means now, not four months later

EYES WIDE OPEN

- IRIS GONZALES

Remember that day when what seemed impossible happened? On Sept. 16, 1991, history unfolded in the Philippine Senate.

The chamber unexpectedly voted against the proposed US bases treaty, which would have given the US another 10 years to maintain its military presence at Subic Naval Base in the Philippines.

It was a historic vote, decided by a slim 12-11 margin. The 12 senators, who would later be known as the "Magnificent Twelve," were Agapito "Butz" Aquino, Joseph Estrada, Teofisto Guingona Jr., Sotero Laurel II, Ernesto Maceda, Orlando Mercado, Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Rene Saguisag, Jovito Salonga, Wigberto Tañada, Victor Ziga and Juan Ponce Enrile.

These men put aside their personal biases and voted for the nation's interest. Some of them were statesmen through and through.

That decision put an end to the US military bases in the country, which were considered a big part of our colonial past.

Shining moment

I think about this chamber's defining hour back then. From the Senate that said "no" in 1991 for nationalist reasons, we now have a Senate that also said "no" to the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte - but clearly not for nationalist reasons. Perhaps this is more about political interest.

For many, the Senate's decision not to act immediately on the VP's impeachment was a complete disappointment.

We saw the crowd that gathered last month at EDSA, calling for VP Duterte's impeachment. Sure, it wasn't anything like EDSA I or II, but there was a big crowd nonetheless.