Moderate your
greed means ‘tawad'

There's a new term you can use now when you are asking for a discount while making a purchase. According to Chairman Romy Neri of the Commission on Higher Education, what he meant when he told engineer Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada to do something about the, er, crocodiles in the NBN-ZTE deal and “moderate their greed”, was for him to try to “reduce the cost”. Of what, it was not clear during the press conference held at Malacañang yesterday. Anyway, when you are shopping, or ordering something, and would like the seller to give you a price cut or “tawad”, you can now tell them, “Please moderate your greed”. I don't guarantee that it will work, though.

* * *

That was a very interesting press conference. Neri, who is the “most-wanted man” as far as the Senate is concerned, was quite voluble, explaining glibly, as if from a script but several times, it was clear who was running the show, who was the “direk”. This was because, several times, executive secretary Eduardo Ermita would interrupt him and say, “Romy, tell them about…” or “Romy, explain…” And Romy would obediently proceed to do as ordered. It was also Ermita who said “Huwag natin pag-usapan ‘yan (Let's not talk about that)” about something he said might be considered sub judice since investigation was going on.

* * *

The case of Jun Lozada brings to mind the quotation attributed to U.S. President Abraham Lincoln about the uselessness of having ten thousand angels swearing you are right if you happen to be wrong. This is not to say that the nemesis of Lozada now qualify to be called angels. Oh no. Not when their own boss was reportedly called “evil” by the person who is now defying even the Senate to protect her. According to the reports, Neri had used the word to describe his own boss about ten times, but when questioned about it at the press conference, all he could say was that he could not recall saying it.

* * *

He did not deny it outright, however. Maybe he is thinking about all those other people said to be present when he said it who might confirm it. Jun Lozada tried to be kind to his friend, he just said Neri might have been distracted, or under the influence. But if Neri is so bright (valedictorian, magna cum laude, UP pa), why does he have such a fault memory? Ten times repeated na, cannot recall pa. That could only add to the following of Lozada, with their pins declaring “Jun, hindi ka nag-iisa (you are not alone)”.

* * *

If it is true that Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez has inhibited herself from the investigation of l'affaire ZTE-NBN, good for her. It would be a very difficult job for her, in view of her past connections with the first couple. Not only was she the classmate of first gentleman Mike Arroyo in law school, she was also later the presidential counsel in Malacañang. So how could any decision she makes not be suspect? She might be truly sincere in saying she will act without fear or favor, with complete impartiality, but will it wash? Already many are saying the result can only be “lutong makaw”. That is quite unfair, but it's also reasonable. Let's just hope that whoever takes her place will be one who is really above suspicion, and above influence of any “dysfunction”.

* * *

On the lighter side, last night the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Doña Luisa Diaz Lacson honored her at a gathering at Sugarland Hotel attended by family and relatives and some close friends. It was a beautiful celebration, one fit for the 97 th birthday of this still very good-looking and lovable lady who beamed as her family staged a presentation of their talents for her entertainment. It was obvious that the performers themselves enjoyed both their preparations and their actual presentation, as the rest of the guests applauded and howled at their antics.

* * *

Starring in the program were Ted and Larry Lacson who, with their sisters Baby and Agnes, brought the house down with their fiery Spanish dance. Then the kiddies followed with Andrea Matti doing a ballet number, and brother Jordan belting out a song. Nicole Leonardia rendered Fur Elise on the organ, and a group of the youngsters performed an energetic dance number on stage. The hit of the evening was Msgr. GG Gaston, who serenaded the birthday girl with the sentimental Italian song “Mama”, that drew long applause. He would not oblige with an encore, though.

* * *

Yesterday was also the birthday of former Negros Occidental and Bacolod Vice Mayor Gloria Araneta Esteban and her family and friends, especially those in the charitable organizations she had headed and organized, came to greet her. Also among her well-wishers were members of the religious community who look upon her and her family as their constant benefactor. Happy birthday to these two wonderful ladies, and may the good Lord bless them with many more!*

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