Very brave, very smart
By Noralyn Mustafa

IT'S tough, President Macapagal-Arroyo says of her job, in her television spot of which there are two versions but with almost identical dialogue. "You have to be very brave and (pointing to her head) very smart." Wow.

At the very least, you've got to credit her for truth in advertising, although I do have some reservations about the "brave" part, because one's understanding of the word can be quite subjective, if not deceiving. Even cowardice can come disguised as bravery. But this is not about semantics; it's about being outsmarted.

Among the books on my night table are copies of the Philippine Journalism Review which the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility sends me regularly, and for which I am truly grateful. For a journalist in the boondocks, every issue is worth its weight in gold. There is, too, another prized possession, a copy of "People Power Uli!-A Scrapbook About Edsa 2" published by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism which the Inquirer so thoughtfully sent me three years ago (I love this outfit).

The PJR critically monitors all newspapers quarterly; and the PCIJ's "People Power" as its foreword claims, "(compiled) the various multimedia ways in which Filipinos ousted a president. It includes jokes, text messages, advertisements, cartoons, poems, songs and front pages of websites that emerged in the last months of the Estrada presidency."

The past few months have been very eventful, with mind-boggling developments assaulting us almost daily, and so I decided to go through my accumulated file copies of the Inquirer, hoping to see the bigger picture and maybe make some sense of this most chaotic of times. And here is what I got from the front pages:

Oct. 5, 2003-I'm running. Oct. 7-SC ruling on Kuratong case out anytime. Oct. 8-SC: Ping must stand trial for Kuratong. Oct. 9-Cojuangco scores victory at Sandigan. Oct. 15-Naia 3 extortion bared. Oct. 25-Gloria-Danding plot, says Joker. Oct. 26-Lakas-we didn't do it. Oct. 27-Davide declares war, GMA sheds neutrality, stands by SC chief.

Nov. 1-GMA on Erap-no political deals, only compassion. Nov. 10-Palace, PNP deny overkill in assault on Naia tower. Nov. 11-Malacañang ignores cries for Mendoza resignation. Nov. 13-GMA seeks peace reconciliation with Erap, Danding, Marcoses. Nov. 15-GMA offered to send Erap to US, Satur claims. Nov. 16-GMA to let Erap go to US. Nov. 17-Erap travel OK tied to GMA election bid-decision intended to win votes. Nov. 20-Palace woos Lopezes for the 'dream team.' Nov. 21-G factor crucial to Kabayan's decision to run as GMA's veep (accompanied by photo taken at Ad Congress, Club Camp John Hay, showing the "G factor," Gabby Lopez, raising the hand of GMA, aptly captioned "And the winner is...").

Dec. 1-Lakas exec (spokesperson Heherson Alvarez) questions FPJ citizenship. Dec. 2-Meralco to collect P2B from rate hike Gov't grants Lopez firm 12 centavo increase per kWh. Dec. 3-Palace: no political deal in power hike. Dec. 14-Pimentel warns of hi-tech fraud in automated polls. Dec. 15-GMA woos OFW vote in Hong Kong trip. Dec. 16-Gloria: meeting OFWs part of the job. Dec. 20-Amnesty plan very dangerous, GMA warned. ERC junks consumers' bid to stop Meralco hike. Dec. 24-Erap allowed to go to US But court bars Christmas with Mom. Dec. 30-Noli agrees to be GMA running mate.

Jan. 15-Osmeña says P2B greased SSS deal. Jan. 17-GMA told: Don't touch money Rights victims want P683 million Marcos loot deposited in trust fund. Jan. 22-FPJ records doctored. Manapat: no fabrication, just enhancement. Jan. 29-6 officers arrested for expos‚ vs. GMA-group denounces plot to derail President's rivals.

Feb. 1-Secret report bares plot to oust FPJ if he wins (referring to Isafp report on Campaign Plan Andres). Feb. 3-GMA allots P3B for PhilHealth program. Feb. 6-Palace clears Nani Perez Criminal raps pushed by graft body thrown out. Gov't sets aside P250M to keep RP safe from bird flu. Feb. 7-Palace firm in decision to clear Perez. Feb. 8-Abalos won't quit. Feb. 11-GMA appoints two new commissioners. Feb. 12-Abat mad; 25th death rites for son canceled. Feb. 13-GMA rivals cite links of 2 new poll execs to Mike A. Feb. 17-2 new poll execs want Poe barred. Feb. 22-GMA betrayed me thrice-Bro. Eddie.

March 6-Erap now in Tanay villa GMA justifies virtual house arrest 'if within the law.' March 7-GMA faces criminal raps Private lawyers say Estrada's country-style detention illegal. March 18-2 KNP Senate bets (Amina Rasul and Boots Anson-Roa) ask SC: Get GMA out. March 21-Explain bailout, GMA told Opposition bets seek review of Maynilad's P8B 'jackpot deal.' March 22-Sacking of Dolphy linked to bailout. March 24-Graft charges filed vs. GMA, Lopez firm. March 25-GMA to pursue gov't takeover of Maynilad. March 26-7th DQ case filed vs. GMA for misuse of road tax.

Through all these, administration spokespersons Ignacio Bunye and Mike Defensor emerged as the Denial Kings and on Max Soliven's resurrected television talk show "Impact 2004" on ANC, the President gave us viewers one more lesson on being very smart: "Those were campaign contributions deposited in the Jose Pidal account and it was closed before the anti-money laundering law went into effect. Was that illegal?"

People, start texting.

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