Did Roxas scold the mayors?

“You need time to think up scolding things to say. You need effort, to put these scolding things in good order so that the scolding can be more insulting to the person being scolded. And you need chutzpah, the word for the sort of show-offy courage to give a good scolding.”

-- Lemony Snicket, “Who Could That Be At This Hour?”

LESS than a year ago, right after super typhoon Yolanda lashed at Leyte on Nov. 13, Mar Roxas told Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez, “You have to be careful. You are a Romualdez and the President is an Aquino.”

Last Oct. 15, one year after a mega earthquake devastated Bohol, Mar told its mayors, “Sasabunan tayo ng Pangulo at lalo na ang boss natin, ang mga mamamayan.” Our bosses will be angry; not a single nail driven into any government building yet.”

The first was a thinly wrapped threat to a politician who tangled with central government about its role in the Leyte crisis. The second was a flat warning to mayors who failed to meet requirements for rebuilding Bohol.

Mar denied bullying Romualdez or scolding the mayors.

One newspaper said Mar “chided” the mayors.

A mild reproof then? Context and tone must have defined it. Media might have exaggerated.

Whatever, Mar was playing to the gallery and flattering P-Noy. But did Mar consider the mayors who had their own constituents to worry about?

Not just

It took Manila 10 months to release the money and two more months to issue spending rules. How could scolding be just?

Maribojoc Mayor Leoncio Evasco called Mar “gago.”

Scold or chide Evasco for ill manners but not for inaccuracy.