MINDAVIEWS...

copy), he asked.

I told him I brought a copy and would give it to him. “Mudawat ka?” (You will accept?), I asked.

“Oo” (yes), he answered.

I had actually bought an extra copy the first time the book was available at the Fully Booked in Abreeza Mall in early November (the first two batches of copies of the bestseller sold out within a week; the third batch is now available, according to the bookstore on January 8).

I bought the extra copy with the intent to give it to the former President so he would know the impact of his administration’s war on drugs from the stories of the relatives of those who were killed. Digong would understand why I would give him that book. His cordon sanitaire would not.

In his early years as mayor, I remember telling him “some people, in trying to help you, are not helping you at all.” I would recall that when he became President and his cordon sanitaire was screening what he should or should not know, what he should or should not read, etc.

This was not the first time I gave Duterte a book. I sent him, through somebody in his inner circle, a copy of Earl Parreno’s then newly-released book, “Beyond Will and Power” (I had it autographed). I attended a pre-departure presser at the Davao International Airport (he was bound for the Middle East then), to give him something to read during the long-haul flight: the complete set of books on the report of the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission, on dealing with the past in the Bangsamoro and ensuring accountability, serving justice, and achieving reconciliation.

I would have actually wanted to hand him a copy autographed by Pat Evangelista but she’s out of the country.

I opened my bag and took out the book, already covered with thick plastic (I usually do this when gifting books) and handed it to him. He flipped through the pages and returned the book to me.

“Bigyan mo ng dedication,” he said. “Happy reading or something. For your kind thoughts or something,” he suggested.

Having seen the looks of some supporters around him and having been surprised by what he asked, I only managed to write, “Please read this po.”

He read the note and handed over the hardbound book to an aide.

I hope the book was not intercepted by the cordon sanitaire and I really hope Duterte has started reading it.

As for the sit-down interview? “For what? I’m retired. I cannot discuss issues anymore. I have no credibility,” he replied.

But that’s not what the sit-down is for. It is about looking back, to seek answers to so many questions only he can answer about decisions and policies made during his six-year Presidency, and how retirement is like for this grandfather to 11 and greatgrandfather to four, after nearly four decades in politics.

I hope he will set the date. I really would like to know, too, if he read the book I gave him.