DOES PUBLIC OFFICE DIMINISH A PUBLIC SERVANT’S HUMILITY?

is a reaction to the news article “Remulla apologizes for flag ceremony blunder, blames ‘ABS CBN people’ for ‘playing it up’” (News, 7/1/20).

Like countless others, I’m disappointed (to say the least) with House Deputy Speaker Jesus Crispin Remulla’s supposed “apology” for jotting down notes on his desk instead of singing the “Lupang Hinirang” as it was being played before the June 29 hearing on the ABS-CBN franchise renewal at the House of Representatives. The way he apologized was arrogant, which unsurprisingly only worsened the public’s indignation toward him. It must be so difficult for him to appear sincere and humble in apologizing for his indisputable error.

He even had the gall to drag “the ABS-CBN people” into the picture by accusing them of “playing it (the now viral video) up now on social media,” for which he decided to “forgive them.” W-o-o-o-w! How magnanimous of him! What’s more, he was interrupting the “Mr. Chairman” he was talking to as the latter pointed out to him the possible fine he would need to pay for his gaffe. In his curt apology, Remulla looked and sounded like an irritated and impatient man inconvenienced by some trifling matter that he was eager to brush aside.

If he had expressed himself more gently and remorsefully, I think that many would appreciate him for it and feel less upset with him (of course without letting him off the hook for disrespecting our national anthem). I myself would find it refreshing, because apologies of that kind are a rarity (!) among Filipino politicians, generally a proud and thick-faced lot. I have often wondered if holding public office diminishes a public servant’s humility.

To Remulla: Within just a short period of time, you’ve been exposed twice over, and make no mistake, you’ve only got yourself to blame.