‘Manigas kayo!’ (Drop dead): Don’t gloat too soon, Harry Roque

This is in connection with the report “Roque tells Duterte’s critics to ‘drop dead,’” (2/6/21).

The late Willy Brandt, former chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, once said: “Kleine Schritte sind besser als große Worte” — rough translation: “Small steps are better than big words.”

The first of six tunnel boring machines for use in the planned construction of the subway system in Metro Manila has just arrived — the first step in the gigantic planned project — but President Duterte’s spokesperson Harry Roque is already gloating as if the project has been completed. The erstwhile human rights advocate-turned defender of human rights abuser lambasted his bread giver’s critics by telling them to “drop dead” (manigas kayo).

Roque should be informed of another German saying: “Ein Spatz in der Hand ist besser als einer Taube auf dem Dach” (a sparrow in the hand is better than a dove on the roof).

Don’t gloat too soon, Harry Roque!

RAMON MAYUGA
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