Digong needs leeway to do things differently

FIRST, he chose differently, particularly when he appointed a screwball to his incoming Cabinet.

Second, he said he would start work at 1 p.m. and wind up in the wee hours the following day when he becomes the country’s Numero Uno.

Third, he snubbed Congress which officially proclaimed him winner of the May 9 presidential election.

On the first point, Presidentelect Digong is advised that the presidential spokesperson is his alter ego, his other self, and whatever that Cabinet member says, it’s like the statement comes from the mouth of the President himself.

On the second and third points, the public should give President-elect Digong much leeway in doing things differently from his predecessors because he is the epitome of an independent-minded individual.

As mayor of Davao City, Digong starts work late, finishes late and goes to bed late; the cycle is repeated every day.

Despite Digong’s nocturnal habit, he always gets things done—and fast.

Mayor Digong didn’t attend his proclamation as president in Manila because he had to wind up his chores at Davao City Hall before going to Malacañang.

There’s also another reason why he didn’t attend his proclamation: Digong hates pomp and pageantry; he’d rather mingle with the poor than attend a big party, especially if it’s in his honor.

***

If he considers me a true friend—for only a true friend could tell him his shortcomings—I’m telling Presidentelect Digong that his choice of Salvador Panelo as presidential spokesperson stinks.

For a Cabinet member, Panelo not only looks and acts unbecomingly, he rubs media the wrong way.

*** Deedee Siytangco, a Manila Bulletin columnist, met Panelo at a party and tried to engage him in small talk.

To start the conversation, Deedee said President-elect Digong was vigorously defending his appointment as presidential spokesperson.

His face contorted to show his displeasure, Panelo replied: “I am perfectly capable of defending myself”—and then walked away.

“Mon, for a presidential spokesperson he’s so bastos (uncouth),” Deedee told this columnist.

How does Panelo expect to be respected as a Cabinet member when he dresses like a teenager by wearing tattered jeans and a leather jacket when he should be wearing a coat and tie or a barong Tagalog?

Panelo should look at his reflection in the mirror again and again, or ask a true friend about the way he looks for only a true friend can tell him the painful truth.

Why was Panelo chosen over Pete Laviña, who worked very hard for candidate Digong during the campaign?

What made Digong choose former Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon, who took part in the so-called Oakwood mutiny, as customs commissioner when the present customs chief, Bert Lina, is very competent and honest?

If I know Digong, he hates being told what to do. But I’m saying this anyway: he should have consulted his incoming finance secretary, Sonny Dominguez, before he named Faeldon customs commissioner.

Appointing Faeldon, who has no experience in revenue collection, was like appointing Ruffy Biazon customs chief, who finished a medical technology course in college.

Biazon’s only qualification was being a seatmate of PNoynoy when both were still congressmen.

As we all know, Biazon failed miserably as customs chief.