Remaining Civil

During these partisan times, we should strive to maintain our civility. In a debate, a moderator needs to check his partisanship at the door. This is simple courtesy.

Tony Lopez, moderator of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) debate, was unable to moderate his bias in favor of his benefactor, Manny Villar, an astute businessman who knows how to get value for his money.

Tony's continuing efforts to promote Villar's candidacy are less than subtle.

It would be inaccurate to call Manny Villar, the employer of Tony Lopez because Tony works on a contractual basis. From the time of his active involvement in the Marcos propaganda corps, Tony learned that being a free agent was a more profitable way to practice his kind of journalism.

It is most appropriate, though, that he performed at the PCCI debate. Tony is certainly a man of commerce, and if well paid, a man of industry as well. He was well compensated for the role he played in the debate. He earned it.