Cong Corrales “Language was invented to hide the thoughts of (humans).”––Mata Hari. WALA’Y Marcosay, brad! The Gestapo-style of your old political party is not “in” anymore. The Kilusang Bagong Lipunal (KBL) ways of subliminal messaging and psychological warfare isn’t “in” anymore, Mr. BBL. Even the CIA has slowed down their use of the low-intensity conflict approach in dealing with dissent because people now already have the information superhighway--the Internet. We are already in what we call the Information Age, Sir. You, of all people, should know that. Your Apo Ferdie tried it, and failed miserably. And to think that there wasn’t any Internet or texting during that time yet. Never underestimate the determination of a free and vibrant press, and please disabuse yourself into thinking that you have the local press wrapped around your finger because you send them ham and queso de bola every Christmas season. We, the local press, are able readers of the lost art of seeing through piles of bovine crap. For my part, I have my father Emilio to thank for that. He taught me a lot about how the likes of you muzzled the press during martial law. Emilio, after all, was at the forefront of “communications management” during martial law. I may appear to be a greenhorn to you, Sir, but make no mistake in thinking I am naivé--Emilio taught me plenty on how “communications management” works. In fact, it’s all we ever talked about when he was still alive. We used to analyze and dissect local headlines, editorial content directions, and decipher the subliminal messages these articles tell. We used to have lengthy discussions and arguments about the “role” of the press during martial law. You should get it through your head that we will not allow the likes of you to muzzle the press again. I mean, texting a loved one and bosses of members of the press with a not-so-veiled message of censoring what goes out of op-ed pages in local dailies, and on the airwaves to stop them from giving you bad press? You are a Xavier awardee, for chrissakes! How low could you get? What are we supposed to expect from you if you get elected as mayor of this city? More of this condescension and censorship of the press? My editor-in-chief posted on his Facebook wall: “No, you may not tell or even suggest to free men how and what to think, and how and what to express and state.” I am not going to allow this kind of deception--it is the gateway to yet another level of impunity and repression. I, personally, cannot allow another “Marcosian” leader with an Oedipus Complex to rule city hall again. You can be assured right now that because of what you did--the underhanded manner in which you tried to censor the press--you have just lost my respect.