Whenever a Philippine president goes abroad, he represents not only himself but his country. In our case, it’s 106 million Filipinos.
This is why we expect our President to respect protocol and behave accordingly.
Thus, when President Rodrigo Duterte breaks protocol by wearing, for instance, a leather jacket instead of a dark suit and tie, we feel a bit squeamish and embarrassed when his hosts all wear the proper attire.
I really don’t know how the South Korean officials reacted to our President’s breaking of protocol. Do they think such concepts are foreign to us?
I can understand the President’s impatience. Sometimes these clothes could get really uncomfortable. He is a maverick and would do things his way—for instance, kissing a woman. The audience might have cheered, but it does not sit well with us when the President does something unbecoming.
I am not picking on the President. But I would like my leader to behave like a statesman.
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Here is another example of President Duterte’s selective justice. He says he is against graft and corruption. He sacked PhilHealth’s acting president and CEO Celestina dela Serna for alleged excessive travel expenses. She is said to have spent P627,000 on plane fares, terminal fees, and accommodations.
As a lawyer, Adel Abillar, a private practitioner with a small office in Quezon City, says: “Indeed this administration is swift to its perceived enemies. It is not enough that the punishment is dealt fast and mercilessly. Enemies have to be crushed to death like a cockroach.”
Excessive travels between Tagbilaran and Manila? How about the President shuttling between Davao City and Manila just because he does not like staying in Malacañang? How about trips abroad with his minions? Are those not paid for by taxpayers? Who is to say what is excessive?
I know for a fact that when senators and congressmen join the President on his trips, it’s Malacañang that spends for it.
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I am coming out with my memoirs. I am 90 and I have covered 10 presidents and seen much of history in the making. The publication is courtesy of my good friend Dante Arevalo Ang, chairman emeritus of The Manila Times.
The book is called “Periodista—the Road Never Ends.”
I was reluctant at first. I knew I was not a celebrity nor a hero. But Dante insisted. After months of agonizing, I relented. He did assure me that he would take care of everything.
It will be another month before the book is printed. Dante and I have scheduled the launching of the book sometime in late July.
In this regard I would like to thank the following:
Former Presidents Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada, Standard publisher Rollie Estabillo, former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez, GMA chairman and CEO Felipe Gozon, Ambassador Alejandro del Rosario, BizNews Asia publisher and CEO Tony Lopez, veteran journalist Vergel Santos, my cousin Charlie Agatep, PR gurus Reli German and Val Villanueva.
I might have missed other names and I apologize.
The one I chose to write my foreword is former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. She wrote:
“Reading Emil Jurado’s book is viewing vignettes of WWII and post-war Philippines, brief and annotated and spiked with asides about culture, events and people plus standard ‘Juradoisms.’ In many ways, it is a post-WWII Philippine history in a nutshell as viewed through the eyes of someone who not only watched history go by but actually participated in its making through expositions that have influenced decision-makers.
The book refreshed memories of World War II and close family ties, Jurado’s long courtship of his wife, his long career as a journalist, and rubbing elbows with the country’s political, business and other greats and near-greats he has met in his many decades of writing about events that matter to us, Filipinos.
Confucius once said that within one’s lifetime, one should plant a tree, sire a son, and write a book. The author has done all three, but even if he has not completed those three requisites, his life would still be considered extraordinary, serving God, country, and family very well.
His autobiography is about an admirable Filipino who is humbled with his achievements but fiercely dedicated to press freedom and the search for truth. My gulay, what more can a man ask for?”
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Speaking of my decades as a journalist, I am proud to say I have made a difference, no matter how small, in the field.
At the height of martial law, I organized the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas. While there I suggested we police ourselves so we could operate outside the ambit of martial law.
That was a proud moment.