The Senate is the highest deliberative chamber where bills, resolutions, treaties and other international conventions are debated and voted upon to craft meaningful pieces of legislation.

Like the aptly called House of  Congress, the Senate has the power to  investigate “in aid of legislation” through committee hearings.

The subject of these hearings often involve malfeasance or misfeasance involving public officials although private individuals or parties may be occasionally “invited” or summoned to attend legislative inquiries.

But like all parliamentary powers or privileges, investigations supposedly “in aid of legislation” do not always lead to the enactment of relevant measures to address the nation’s problems.

Often they are turned into platforms for political grandstanding, witch hunts, and personal vendetta.

Thus, there ought to be limits to this serially abused legislative power.

And so we agree with Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s observation that such inquiries have become meaningless political exercise.

Santiago echoed the sentiments of colleague Sen. Joker Arroyo on the series of Senate inquiries that end up “valueless” in terms of legislation but become a certified hit in endearing politicians to the public.

She made this assessment after the Senate released LTA Inc. bookkeeper Rowena del Rosario from detention last week and with the renewed interest of her colleagues in reviving the probe on alleged fraud during the 2004 and 2007 elections.

Del Rosario was ordered arrested and detained for refusing  to tell the truth about the alleged anomalous purchase of second-hand helicopters by the National Police.

“Joker is right. There’s too much drama. But if you’re going to look at it, the inquiries do not amount to anything,” Santiago was quoted by a major broadsheet as saying over a radio station.

“It is valueless because we only refer cases before the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice so that they can determine if there is probable cause for the filing of cases,” she said.

She also blamed the massive broadcast media coverage of Senate and House inquiries which “probably encourages senators and other politicians to savor the free publicity”.

The feisty lady lawmaker said it was doubtful if some of her colleagues will restrain themselves during hearings because “in politics, no one will limit his TV exposure, especially if he will run in the next election”.

Santiago said the regular processes of making a law are not so appealing to viewers, and the Senate inquiries have become avenues for public exposure.

Thus, she proposed that limits be imposed on the power of the Legislative branch to conduct inquiries into relevant issues.