Yesterday’s hearing could have been different.

It should have been Neri sitting in San Miguel’s chair, had the Senate acceded to Supreme Court Chief Justice’s proposal.

In choosing to reject the proposal without intensive floor debates and consultations with legal and political experts, the Senate yielded its momentum for truth to another shady character who claim technical expertise over direct knowledge of anomalies in the ZTE broadband deal.

I think the senators have the right to complain to the chairs of the committee on how the hearing is being conducted. All senators must have equal access to witnesses and prior copies of their sworn affidavits. This is what would distinguish a formal hearing from a fishing expedition.

The Senate must embark on a frank assessment of where they are because it seems the ZTE hearings have lost its moorings. Yesterday’s hearing could have been different had the propensity to spring a surprise taken a backseat to the long-term goal of finally hearing the truth told.