The Daily Tribune <<< Without Fear or Favor >>>

»HEADLINES

»NATION

‘Sorry of the year’

TABLETS OF STONE

Larry Faraon, OP

01/04/2009

Happy New Year!

As we usher in a new challenging year, we can’t help but bask in whatever good 2008 had for a tailender, one of which is the “sorry of the year.” It was, in fact, the best news for the year that was. It was former President Cory Aquino’s personal yet public regret over the violation of the rule of law in Edsa II (I am one of those who plead guilty…) and an admission of her mistake in being a part of it (Lahat naman tayo nagkakamali) and concluded with a very personal, sincere and magnanimous seeking of forgiveness from the ousted President Joseph Estrada (Patawarin mo na lang ako!).

A public apology such as the infamous “I am sorry” over the “Hello Garci” tapes scandal needs to be scripted, carefully crafted, short and sweet and well calculated in order to steer clear from possible spill over of whatever is unnecessary, politically harmful and personal compromise as in opening more cans of worms. Public apologies should be at the least, insincere and entirely beneficial to the one who makes it even if it comes as a risk in one’s public imagery. But at least, it would look good, “for the record.”

Mrs. Aquino’s “sorry” was not a public apology although made in public; it was a sincere, honest, unscripted and spontaneous personal admission of guilt that led to seeking forgiveness. (Apologizing is quite different from seeking forgiveness. For an apology, all you need is guilt; but to seek forgiveness, contrition is necessary). By her linguistic preference of using ako (myself), instead of the universal and impersonal kami, in seeking Erap’s forgiveness, Mrs. Aquino’s “sorry” must really come from a contrite heart. Mrs. Aquino could have put a period at her admission that she was guilty about her participation at Edsa ll, instead, she decided to bend over to address her apologies directly to the ousted president who readily stood up to acknowledge such noble act he never expected from the most respected person in the country. At that shining moment for both former presidents, Mrs. Aquino no longer cared for the negative ripples it might create on her “public image” — not from a former president who puts on little make up and won’t mind using a worn-out native anahaw fan on formal presidential functions.

And so who says it was done in jest or levity of the occasion? Perhaps those who do not know Mrs. Aquino by heart — including her own son and spokesperson?

Surprisingly, Cory’s allies immediately launched a media offensive to control and manage the damage caused (for them) by such an apology since that would put the entire civil society to which Mrs. Aquino is a living icon into a very upsetting situation. And more surprisingly, Malacañang dipped its fingers more positively by claiming it was actually Mrs. Arroyo who reconciled with Erap by granting the latter an executive pardon before Mrs. Aquino made her reconciliatory move. It would seem that everybody is running after Erap’s forgiveness!

On the other hand, Cory’s magnanimity was equaled by Erap’s humble acceptance of the apology. Even if the ousted president felt elated and vindicated over the apology, he didn’t see it as a political tool or media mileage to his already burgeoning reclaim over his popularity, especially his chances at the presidency in 2010. His entire media conglomerate could have blown up the issue as a plus factor for Erap’s prospects in 2010. But they didn’t. Erap knows that the apology, although made it public, was addressed to him personally, and he accepted it also on that plane, personal, like long time friends. And he in fact, took it as the best Christmas gift for this year.

There may not be much in common with Erap and Cory aside from being former Presidents. But, in this redeeming event both former Presidents shared a magnanimity that has become rare for many leaders in this country especially a shared experience of forgiving and being forgiven, especially with an administration that would lie to its teeth over scandals rather than lay the truth on the table and utter a sincere and honest, “I am sorry.”

But anyway, since Erap and Cory are still very much around, there are two brilliant rays of hope going into the same direction. And that keeps 2009 bright for us Filipinos. Again, welcome 2009!