When Harry met Rody; unsolicited advice to Harry

I was spokesperson of candidate, President-elect and President Cory in late 1985 and 1986.

If I committed any gaffe, I cannot now remember, maybe partly because of my age (just turned 78). I was Cory Aquino Jr., who would tell the hardworking persnickety Palace Brat Pack, “I am not allowed to think here, next question.”

But, I never said “cast a stone at us and we’ll hit back with hollow blocks.” That seems to be for hollow blockheads, which you decidedly are not, Harry. You remain my friend so I won’t heed Napoleon’s advice not to disrupt or interrupt an enemy making a mistake.

If a farmer whose daughter was raped could not get justice and joined the New People’s Army, that would be the ultimate stone. You would hit back with a hollow block? Your mercurial boss would seem to have another positive tack. Good.

Mouthpieces do not have to advise. When I tried to give President Cory serious advice, she would laugh and laugh. When I would crack a joke, she would implement it. That was probably why we did not do better.

Seriously, when she read something I had said not to her liking, she’d ask me, “Did you  say so?” and when I’d say yes, she would lower her eyebrows and gently advise what to say next time.

Only once, in December 1989, did she get angry with me. We administration senators had been summoned to the Palace after the December coup began. Even her fierce Senate critics said, “Yes, Mrs. President.” Came my turn and I said, “Mrs. President, I tend to agree with Senate President [Jovito] Salonga that you are now seen as being in double captivity, a captive of the military and a captive of the Americans.”

“I least expected that of you, Rene,” she shot back, fuming, the first time I ever saw her show some temper. “From now on, things won’t be hunky-dory, etc. etc.”

When I got home, my wife, Dulce, with arms akimbo, greeted me with, “the President called and was upset that if it would be between your Uncle and her, etc.”

Nagsumbong! “Dear, it was this way, etc.” I lamely tried to explain. It was I who was under double captivity.

Harry, you should be able to deal with Rody’s tirades and tantrums.

R.A.V. SAGUISAG, Palanan, Makati City