Friday, November 21, 2008 Seares: Dureza’s idea of a joke By Pachico A. Seares News Sense
AS UPROAR over the prayer of Press Secretary Jesus Dureza at a Cabinet meeting subsides, let's look at how he tried to get out of the mess.
But first, how much damage did he inflict?
Apparently not on President Arroyo for whom he asked God to give "forbearance, good health, and tolerance to lead this nation up to 2010 and perhaps, who knows, even beyond."
While the President said "Oh my God" as she covered her face, it was more embarrassed coyness than restrained displeasure. She even seemed tickled by the praise and was for a second almost looked like a blushing virgin.
Given past outbursts over snafus less vexing, she would have gone ballistic. Instead, she got a good laugh out of it, or so Dureza says.
What suffered some beating were Dureza's work skills.
It was poor judgment to include in his prayer the hint of extending the President's term. He should have foreseen the storm it would set off. A good press secretary always anticipates effects of what he does or says.
And damage control was inept. He asked the press not to report the story. Whom was he kidding? Tough to suppress such juicy morsel of news.
'Scripted'
Unless the incident was scripted: to have some trial balloon to gauge public sentiment on a longer stay of the President in office, as opposition Sen. Chiz Escudero suspects.
But why the need for a test? Sharks with murderous intent on the President's political career fill the waters. And the President in popularity polls has hit ocean bottom.
Next time, Dureza says, he'll just pray in silence.
Or yield the job to someone else who doesn't use God's sense of humor as excuse.
