Rumor travels faster than truth

The banner headline of my one and only broadsheet last June 1 said: “DOTC Head Denies Quitting.” The next day, the banner said: “Palace Says DOTC Chief Has Resigned.”

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That’s the fastest decision change ever done by a key government official.

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Reminds me of the news about the proclamation of Martial Law. All the papers’ banner heads said: “Marcos Says No Martial Law.” The following day the papers said: “Martial Law Declared.”

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The rumor about Bobby Nalzaro’s death (“Simbako,” says a watering hole habitue) travelled to the US faster than the truth. Oh, well, it always does.

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I didn’t know about it until I got an e-mail from the US asking me if it’s true. I got to know the truth an hour or so after I got the e-mail.

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My favorite humor writer Bob Phillips is right: “Rumor travels around the world while the truth is still putting on his shoes.”

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Mayor Mike Rama has finally felt the heat in the kitchen. So he’s getting out. I refer to Mike’s decision to bolt the Osmeña camp. What’s gonna happen next is clear to many. Even a PUJ driver upon glancing at the headline said: “Gubat na ni!”

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Many have long been expecting this to happen. “Mike Rama is only human,” says political analyst Ricky Baldomero. “As a human being, his fighting spirit can only take so much.”

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Mr. Baldonero is referring to what he calls “a lot of pushing around by Tom O.” Other political observers are saying that “Hizzoner can now move on without a leash on his neck.”

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I have heard many comments from neutral sectors hailing the mayor’s decision to cut ties with BOPK, his party for 13 years. Some observers refer to this severance of ties with BOPK as Mike’s liberation.”

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TRIVIA — “I want to tell you a terrific story about oral contraception. I asked this girl to sleep with me and she said no.” — Woody Allen