By Jose B. Maroma, Jr
“Manigas kayo” (drop dead)! I could not believe that these words were uttered by a bright, smooth-talking and popular (by a recent survey) cabinet member as he touted the arrival of the mammoth tunneling machine for the subway project.
It’s true this is a very important undertaking which will have a profound national impact but the way Sec. Harry Roque preened around like a peacock to drumbeat the event smacks of arrogance and vanity. It’s as if the realization of the project involving taxpayers’ money has bestowed on him the right to be arrogant, haughty and conceited.
He was acting like a royal page or a town crier in ancient royalty who would announce, “Hear ye, hear ye, His kind Highness has given you a present. Bow your heads in submission to the Emperor. Woe unto those who whisper dissent for their disrespect will bring them to the dungeons.”
I want to remind the Secretary that moderation in manners and speech are the hallmarks of a statesman and a gentleman, more so if he is the Presidential spokesman.
Whether he likes it or not, his words reflect the thinking of the President, directly or indirectly. If he wants to describe some people as mean, he doesn’t have to be mean himself, otherwise, people won’t know the difference.
Be patient Sir. If it’s your time, it’s your time. If your master is great, he doesn’t need to ask a town crier to announce it. Happy subjects will do it for him.
The author is a retired civil engineer from Cabatuan, Iloilo. He likes to spend his time reading and writing on the burning issues of the day
