AN array of public personalities issued noteworthy statements last week — some dramatic, other self-serving and a few rib-tickling — that have registered in the people’s mind.
It is, therefore, for the public to evaluate how those remarks will influence everyone’s perception of the persons who delivered them.
My own repartees are supplied after each declaration. The remarkable remarks:
Upon being informed that the opposition Senate slate is going to be led by the nearing-octogenarian, former Vice President Tito Guingona:
"Amoy’ lupa na sila." — Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales
Look, who’s talking!
Speaking before Filipino communities in Washington D.C. last Thursday:
"Interest rates are going down. Exchange rate is also improving. A healthier business climate, supported by inflows from overseas Filipinos like you, has created a sustained appreciation in the peso." — Vice President Noli de Castro
Who says "Kabayan" is not conversant in economics?
"The Arroyo government has been bragging about being able to repay its foreign obligations, such as those it owes the IMF because of its (supposedly) improved fiscal situation." — Sonny Africa, Ibon Foundation
Being able to pay its foreign obligations is remarkable enough.
"We must grow oil from our soil. Lambanog can also run cars. Cassava is best as petrol. And corn can also fuel our automobiles." — Dr. Vivencio Mamaril, BPI Biotech Core Team
Not so fast, doctor. They might cause a dent in our food production program!
On Wednesday’s opening of the 16-nation ASEAN Summit in Cebu City:
"We can do it. We will do it again, with more fervor this time and it’s all systems go." — Gov. Gwen Garcia
Unless another typhoon blows in your direction.
"The executive branch took the law into its own hands." — About-to-resign Usec. Zosimo Paredes, executive director of the Presidential Commission on the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement
Yeah, SWAT policemen also jostled US Marine Cpl. Daniel Smith while spiriting him away from the Makati City jail to the US Embassy.
In complying with a Supreme Court ruling on the legality of the mode for amending the Constitution:
"Why do they have a malicious interpretation of what we are doing here?" — Comelec chief Benjamin Abalos
Mr. Chairman, the Garci stigma is hard to erase, that’s why.
On President Arroyo’s allocating an initial R10 billion to carry out the Armed Forces Modernization Law:
"That law called for a 15-year modernization program which means that it should be completed by 2010." — AFP Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon
They have been talking about modernizing the AFP since Fidel Ramos was president, and Lisandro Abadia the chief of staff.
On reports that domestic money supply grew by a notable 18.5 percent in November last year:
"Even if the increase in money supply is faster, there are factors in the economy that absorb and dampen its impact on inflation." Banko Sentral Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr.
But our village gardener is still asking, ‘Where’s that money?’
Over the weekend, my tennis-playing friends have chosen eight candidates among those floated around by the opposition in Club Filipino last Friday:
Loren Legarda, Francisco Pangilinan, Francis Escudero, Allan Peter Cayetano, Panfilo Lacson, Koko Pimentel III, Rolex Suplico, and Ronaldo Zamora.
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