Personality Complex Case #1

Kris airs side on encounter with James's rumored girlfriend

She is dubbed “Queen of All Media” for nothing really exceptional but because she is a hot topic for news and entertainment. The title is not even apt as she has not been that prolific in radio and the internet (the old and emerging media). To her credit, though, she really can grab anyone’s attention easily and has a lot of words to say to the delight of many.

Kris Aquino, whether we like or not, will always dominate mainstream media – specifically television. Her biggest draw is her personality, which pulls viewers like pollens attract bees. Her elite background stirs interest. Her brazen and smart talk captures attention. Her dramatics glue people on their seats.

For all that she is, she could be one of the finest media celebrities out there. Trouble is, she tends to overdo things and overhug the spotlight. Misbehavior can be cute and laughed at if it happens for the first time. The second time, it will make us pause and seriously think about whether it makes sense. The third and nth time, it becomes annoying and disturbing even if it makes sense at all.

We all know, of course, about the “colorful” life Kris is living. Her miseries, self-inflicted or not, affect many Filipinos as much as they affect her. Some can see themselves in her. Some learn from her experiences. We can even thank her for that.

There are some things, however, that are much better left in private or not talked about in the open. Being a public figure or a celebrity is no excuse to be reckless about our actions just because the public will know about it anyway. Things can be kept out of radar if we really want to. And even if we stand on a good principle, propriety should tell us not to create a scene that can be blown out of proportion and cause undue stress to anyone.

Kris cannot complain, therefore, that the other members of her family are being unnecessarily dragged into her mess because she practically invites it by giving the public almost full access to her life.

We have been told not to wash our dirty clothes in public. Kris has the penchant for doing so. The reason maybe why she likes doing it is because she washes hers in style – fully made up and dressed with a luxury brand of soap and washing machine to use – like how a real queen would.

Figure the metaphor.

No Trial With Publicity

Televise it

Media groups and personalities have demanded that the proceedings of the Ampatuan trial be televised live. Their best argument is that it is in the interest of the public to be informed and to know the truth about the most-awaited trial in our recent history.

The end they are pursuing is noble. It is the true essence and fundamental goal of journalism. The means they are praying for, however and sadly, is not at all justified or acceptable.

We are well aware of how potent the power of the media is in influencing public opinion. Many theories support it and we have seen how it can happen, including its many repercussions. Just remember what happened in the impeachment trial of former President Joseph Estrada. While something good came out of it, the fact is justice did not really take its full course. The people became the ultimate judge through sheer force and havoc. The rule of law was sideswiped by the rule of the mob. The result is that we were deprived of potential landmark jurisprudence in deciding a controversy with political color.

The judicial process should be solemn and insulated from a scrutinizing public in order not to be unduly influenced. If unbridled media coverage is allowed at a trial, our tendency is to make judgments as we are fed information when it should be after we have all seen and heard everything. The bigger problem is there is imminent danger of chaos if events do not transpire according to the liking of the majority. When the boiling point is reached, it is much easier to control tens of people in a courtroom than thousands who protest in the streets as we are accustomed to doing.

Fact is media reporters are not banned from attending the trial, only their cameras. They are allowed in to serve as the eyes and the ears of the public in court, in lieu of their cameras. Rightfully so because humans make a logical impression and interpretation of facts, something which machines cannot do. What we see from the cameras does not give us the complete picture and may cloud our perception.

More so, piece-by-piece commentaries out of live reporting will only make the trial a highly-partisan and circus affair. The media thrives in sensationalism, which has high commercial value. Live television coverage will only benefit the media themselves.

Let us leave the court be in this case. Information is not curtailed when limits to media coverage are imposed during a trial. In fact, it is protected until finally the truth is ferreted out for the sake of the common and greater good. That is the ultimate work of justice.

What's the fuss?

GMA to name next Supreme Court chief - Palace

Malacañang and its allies fear that the country would be in turmoil if the void to be created by the retirement of Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno on May 17 would not be immediately filled, especially since this would happen during a crucial period of political transition, hence they prefer that President Arroyo choose a successor despite the Constitutional ban on appointments.

Who are they kidding? The scenario, as many times been told in the media, is totally not that bleak and does not require an emergency action of thoughtless proportion that only people in Malacañang can devise.

The most logical move is for President Arroyo to do nothing and leave her post as scheduled without creating a last-minute hullabaloo to plunge her deeper into the abyss of unpopularity.

The country would be alright with an Acting Chief Justice, who would exercise the same powers and who would leave the post once the next President finally makes an appointment. This is a common practice in government and is definitely more legally sound than the action being contemplated by the Palace.

So stop the bullshit, please.