Opposition solon scolds Carandang over 'arrogant' remark

An opposition lawmaker on Thursday scolded Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang for making a supposedly “arrogant" remark during a budget hearing at the House of Representatives. Deputy Minority Leader and Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay was questioning Carandang over the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning (PCDSPO)’s supposed failure to communicate President Benigno Aquino III’s accomplishments to the public. “Don’t you think you have failed in your mandate in communicating the good policies of President Aquino?" the lawmaker asked Carandang during the hearing. “Was that a rhetorical question or did you actually want me to answer that?" Carandang answered back. After Carandang’s response, Magsaysay started scolding the Cabinet secretary for what she described as “arrogant" reply. “Let me remind you that arrogance has no place in public service. And [if] you are going to be arrogant, then I don’t think you should stay any longer in public service… You are a breed of public servants who has no place in public service," she said. “Ikaw, appointed official ka lang, ano karapatan mong maging arogante? 'Yung pagiging arogante mo at pagiging spoiled brat mo, iiwan mo iyan sa bahay mo. Once pumasok ka sa Office of the President, matuto kang maging humble," she said. Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya, who heads the House appropriations committee conducting the budget hearing, immediately suspended the proceedings after Magsaysay made her statement to allow his colleagues talk to the two officials. When the hearing resumed, Carandang said “I did not mean to offend… It’s been a rather tense morning and so again, there was no intent on my part to offend anybody." The Cabinet secretary also apologized to Magsaysay saying, “I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings." Earlier this month, the two officials also clashed after Magsaysay and Minority Floor Leader Edcel Lagman hinted at an allegedly anomalous purchase of computers by a government office. Although not directly identified, Carandang’s office immediately issued a statement saying that the PCDSPO’s purchase of computers underwent proper bidding. In the same statement, Carandang described Magsaysay as “a known ally of one of the most corrupt presidents this country has ever had." — LBG, GMA News