More commentary on Roberto R. Romulo

If not for our Eye-spy, who pointed it out to us, we would have missed an item on the increasing commentary on Roberto R. Romulo, who was described by the Singapore Straits Times as a "never-say-die power broker." In his Aug. 27 piece, Malaya columnist Ducky Paredes wrote: "There are those who live in the shadows, malevolent beings that do their worst when they are out of sight. They will not confront those they would destroy in the light but will, through manipulation, show them in a bad light… The man carries the position of presidential assistant (sic). Thus, he qualifies as a public figure. He uses his official status when he wants entry but denies it when it is convenient for him to do so…he identifies himself, in true Mafia fashion, as only a private businessman…articles about him, according to the man, are unwarranted from his not being a public official or public figure who would then be an open target for fair comment.

When interviewed by the Singapore Straits Times, the man made certain assertions that are revealing. In a letter to Soliven, Singapore Straits Times Holdings correspondent Luz Baguioro sent the following questions from her unnamed deputy editor:

"1. You are currently embroiled in a law suit – over what he alleges are libelous articles by yourself, in the column Spy Biz (which carries a nom de plume) and in an article by Babes (sic) Romualdez. What is your reaction to his allegations?

"2. Why are you and your newspaper attacking (him)? Has this anything to do with your belief that (he) was responsible for taking you out of the list of those invited to the White House dinner in honour of President Arroyo in May last year? He said he is not responsible for this.

"3. What are your views on the right to reply by individual to charges made against him by a columnist?

"4. Since he filed his suit against you and your newspaper, you and your newspaper have stopped attacking him. Why?

( Note: Questions were submitted by the Singapore Straits Times)

Do you see what I mean about being shadowy? Who actually wrote those questions? Was it actually some deputy editor or was it this shadowy person who pulls strings by whispering secrets and filling one’s head with false rumors to convince one to act as he wants. Somehow, the questions do not seem like the honest ones that a journalist simply seeking a story would ask. Note that question about keeping Max out of the White House. The man would like everyone to believe that he is that powerful; at the same time, he will deny any responsibility for it. That is the kind of slippery eel he is.

The man, however, is not as great as he thinks himself to be. The one time that this person had a Cabinet position, he resigned under duress because his president was so incensed over his bungling that the angry president was ready to throw him into the Pasig weighed down by all of the Cabinet secretary’s myriad sins to society. When he got on the board of a club, there was chaos and general dissatisfaction. He is actually only a famous man’s son living off the fame of a great father. Otherwise, he is not that much.

We have evil men lurking in our society… The Bible relates that when the evil one was asked, he replied that his name was "Legion." Let it be that, for now because although we are talking of only one man, there are actually many just like him in what I call the Evil Society. They are truly legion." Need we say more?

Spy tidbiz: Incognito royal visits

There was some hype over the planned RP visit of a jet-set blueblood a few weeks ago. With Hollywood royal blood and Southern French noble blood coursing through her veins, this European Princess is a sure bet for getting lionized by Manille society’s royalty-devouring characters. One thing most people don’t know is that she has been visiting her spear-side cousin’s Malate pad incognito in the late 80s. She was spotted in blue jeans and sneakers in an apartment building sandwiched between Aristocrat and motels. At that time, the cousin was in a relationship with one of the more popular curvaceous finalists of the 1974 Miss Universe pageant.

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