Senate sergeant at arms’ ‘please all rise’ order now a ring tone
“Please all rise” is now a ring tone.
The order is given out by the Senate sergeant at arms for all persons in the Senate gallery to stand up as a sign of respect to senator-judges entering the impeachment court.
As a result of public interest in the televised impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona, the man issuing the order is enjoying some measure of fame.
Jose Balajadia said he was initially embarrassed when a stranger approached him on the street and played on his cell phone the retired general’s command for all those present to “please all rise” as the senators marched to their seats.
The same happened before when he attended Mass in Quezon City and while he strolled inside a department store.
“I realize that people are really watching the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona,” Balajadia said.
However, people sometimes get confused as to what his role is in the trial.
“Once a woman approached me and called out ‘Hey, Mr. Sheriff.’ I had to tell her that I am the head of the Office of the Sergeant At Arms (OSAA) of the Senate,” he said.
The OSAA is in charge of peace and order and makes sure all guests in the Senate observe proper decorum, especially in the presence of senators.
Apparently, Balajadia’s instruction is now the latest catchword and variations are being cooked up.
Plain, Java rice
Balajadia has heard of “plain rice” and “Java rice” uttered in a loud, masculine tone as he approached.
One female subordinate would stand up, give him a mock salute and repeat his command whenever Balajadia entered the OSAA headquarters on the ground floor of the Senate building.
Even Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid, who is known for his playful side, once ribbed Balajadia about his order.
“Puro ka (You’re all) rice,” the senator jokingly complained. “Minsan nga bibigyan kita ng ulam (I’ll give you viand one of these days).”
Balajadia is game enough not to get piqued. When teased, he sometimes makes an offer to buy a serving of Java rice to those present.
“One time, the phrase ‘Java rice’ stayed on my mind and I nearly blurted it out at the start of the trial. I don’t know if anyone noticed it, but there was a moment I paused before shouting the order,” the OSAA head said.
More formality
Balajadia said it was his idea to deliver the command in a reverberating and imposing tone—a far cry from the “hear ye, hear ye” greeting delivered when senator-judges entered the Senate session hall during the impeachment trial of then President Joseph Estrada.
“I felt ‘hear ye, hear ye’ lacked force. I thought we should give it more formality and personality at the same time. The impeachment trial should start with a tone that really meant business,” he said during a huddle with reporters at the Senate press office.
The order comes with a stern warning. Balajadia tells everyone when the trial begins at
2 p.m., Mondays to Thursdays, that “all persons are commanded, under pain of penalty, to remain silent” for the duration of the session.
The impeachment trial of Corona started on January 16 and will resume on March 12.
Originally posted at 10:37 pm | Thursday, March 01, 2012
