When PNoy insults his hosts

THIS is getting to be a habit of President Aquino: insulting the host of the social affair to which he's invited.

Last April 23, at the 16th national forum of Philippine Press Institute, President Aquino flogged media for "crab mentality" and negativism.

He was expected to talk about countryside media, not sins of its Manila counterpart.

Didn't anyone tell him about his audience?

Last July 27, on ABS-CBN's 25th anniversary, he pounced on "TV Patrol" anchor Noli de Castro for anti-administration comments on the news: wasn't he VP to then president Arroyo, whom PNoy wants to be jailed for election theft and plunder?

In both incidents, as key speaker, he was duty-bound to inspire his audience, not vent
his anger on the press.

PNoy's remarks were doubly scathing because the sectors attacked were celebrating milestones. Couldn't the jabs at media wait for some other time or place?

Not that some journalists don't deserve punches. But insulting the host right in his backyard is misplaced, if not gross.

'Prangkahan'

PNoy told ABS-CBN "prangkahan" or being frank would promote understanding. But must he tell the celebrants their reporting stinks even as he enjoyed its hospitality?

Noli didn't attend the party--good for him. But then Supreme Court chief justice Renato Corona, at the First National Criminal Justice Summit last Dec. 5, had to sit and listen as PNoy told him in his face he was a midnight appointee and should quit.

His enemies may start getting used to it. PNoy can defy basic manners, the heck with how his host feels.

(paseares@sunstar.com.ph)