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Thursday, March 16, 2006
Seares: ‘Possible’
By Pachico A. Seares
News Sense
When Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez was asked about Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña's suspicion that top generals in police and military are linked to kidnappers operating in Cebu, the DOJ chief said, "that is possible."
So did regional police chief Eduardo Gador when asked about it: "We are looking into the possibility."
Of course, it is possible. Anything capable of existing or happening is possible.
Few things annoy a news source more than being asked if something is possible.
The news source looks at the reporter as if he came from dolt-producing genes. Or the news source insults the person who started the idea.
I don't know if Gonzalez gave the reporter the scornful look chiding a student who did not listen when possibility-probability and similar causes of confusion were discussed in journalism school.
No insult
I know he didn't insult Mayor Tomas. Neither did Gador. They were being polite.
Gonzalez and Gador could have said they don't air suspicions publicly, especially when it smears reputation, unless they have basis.
While they look at the possible, they publicly talk only about the probable and only when it rests on some evidence.
Is it possible Mayor Tomas knows about and clears summary executions of crime suspects? Does a public official sworn to uphold law and order, a Catholic who values human life, condone serial murders? Possible but not probable.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (March 16, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
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