Segue to a different life - My Viewpoint

I have received numerous comments about my recent appointment, some solicited, most unsolicited, but all of them highly appreciated. Some congratulate me. Others, genuinely concerned about that fabled "snakepit" by the Pasig and cognizant of the recent Prod Laquian meltdown, have expressed real concern about me. Teddy Boy Locsin warns that if I don't watch my back, my front, my flanks and even the sky above me, the real sequel to Dong Puno Live will not be another late-night talkshow but a one-time special entitled "Dong Puno Dead."

Many opine that I have demonstrated uncommon wisdom in accepting this new challenge. Others think I should see a shrink -- pronto! Some are confident I can make a difference. A few, including individuals I truly respect, are convinced I am doomed. Ab initio!

So I think I'll take this occasion to assure all who are wondering that I have thought about this decision long and hard. I am fully aware of the risks and the pitfalls. But I am as fully convinced that it is the right thing to do, and that this is the time to do it. I hope you will understand my disinclination to go into any more detail about this, but I really don't want to come across as having an overblown or unrealistic opinion of myself or of the challenges I face. I have no illusions about how easy or how difficult the job will be. All I know is that, with all my limitations as a human being, I'll give it a good shot.

I realize the enormity of the responsibility of being both Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman. Again, the house is divided on whether the merger of those functions is a good or bad idea. Frankly, I think it's a good idea, but I look forward to discovering for myself how, in the implementation of the concept, the devil will probably be in the details. I keep getting warned about the bureaucratic "'dinosaur" the Office of the Press Secretary has become. Not, I hasten to add, because of the acts or omissions of my predecessors, but as a result of the familiar propensity of government bureaucracies to bloat themselves uncontrollably. But if I find that that is in fact the situation, I will do what I can to put more system, rationality and efficiency in the process. On the other hand, I know that the gathering and dissemination of information are not always, and never exclusively, about structure or fixed procedures. I hope to leave ample room for innovation and initiative, but most especially for passion and for commitment.

And, finally, I know I cannot do it alone. I will need people who will share a vision which I hope to articulate to my new fellow workers and colleagues in this government office. I understand how some might scoff at this notion, but I have absolutely no doubt that there are many in my future office that believe in the value and integrity of their work.

But for now, I must take a leave from column-writing. I've been at this space for over ten years, from the time the late and greatly-admired Betty Go-Belmonte asked me to join The STAR's stable of columnists. It's been a fulfilling experience for which I shall always be grateful, particularly to a lady I had the highest respect for, and whose gentle but wise counsel I still miss. I'd also like to thank Boss Max, my enduring model for journalistic excellence, for his support and understanding. A special word of thanks, too, to my sometimes cranky (Couldn't miss this last chance, Ben!) but eminently competent editor and to our trusty proofreaders. You are all consummate professionals!

At a time when even punctuation marks become the emblems of protest movements, I will adopt not the exclamation point, not the question mark, and certainly not the period. I choose the comma. Which is my way of saying that I hope -- I know! -- I will be back. Sometime, somehow. So, this isn't goodbye, Instead, I'll say: Later, guys!