Throwing hollow blocks

At a time that many Filipinos are calling out to “stop the killing, start the healing,” a positive-minded response would have been toward promotion of truth and clarity. But the presidential spokesperson talks in terms of “throwing stones” and “throwing back hollow blocks.”

To do otherwise, however, would be out of character for this administration.

The previous spokesperson showed equanimity in dealing with the lack of clarity, lack of rational thought, and almost incomprehensible language. Now the new spokesperson, a former law professor, uses threat of retaliation as tool of communication.

There was a time the title “professor” and even the description “former professor” — especially “UP professor” — commanded respect. What happened? There was also a time “human rights lawyer” conveyed a near-heroic or even near-saintly quality in a person. Regarding this matter, I won’t ask what happened. An example was set long ago: A lawyer took on multiple Marcos-era human rights cases, especially those involving media persons, and immediately climbed from relative anonymity to being high profile. Eventually, he gained very high executive power and, later, high legislative power. All the while, the media admired him.

What happens now?

ATIS ALTAMIRANO,
[email protected]