“Too humble is to be half proud.”

— TREVANIAN

MANILA, Philippines — The term ‘’hubris’’ is of Greek origin meaning excessive pride or over self-confidence.

It could also mean going overboard, so to speak, or reckless arrogance from persons who either achieved sudden fame that they are not accustomed to, or they start believing that they cannot do anything wrong because God is with them, or they have the devotion of the people.

And history has shown that hubris has not only destroyed empires but has also brought humiliation, disgrace, and destruction to kings, presidents, tyrants, tycoons, and movie stars.

It follows that obfuscating issues for political mileage, or as devious strategies to confuse the public and stall legislation, for example, must be exposed.

To be unreasonably stubborn to the point of being hubristic is equally counter productive and dangerous.

President Benigno Simeon Aquino III not only appears to enjoy getting embroiled in controversies but can be stubborn as a bull in a China shop.

President Aquino’s steadfast stand on the passage of the convoluted Reproductive Health Bill, as a principle of population’s policy, is commendable, overdue, and necessary.

The crafting of the law is the concern of Congress. The legacy will be his, and history will vindicate President Benigno Aquino.

His snubbing of Chief Justice Renato Corona at the Luneta inauguration, and the arrogance of picking another Supreme Court Justice to administer the Oath was bad taste at its worst and unmanly.

President Aquino’s fanatical obsession to impeach resigned Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez was meant to display the awesome powers of the Office of the President, and nothing personal as shown by his ambivalences to the choice of a successor.

On the other hand, the display of obduracy by President Benigno Aquino can be an enviable quality that derives from being a Lord of the Manor; or unchallenged head of the “encomienda,’’ or “cacique’’ who is law upon himself, in his estate, and who subsequently and subconsciously carries the traits with him to high political office.

For these reasons, President Aquino’s obdurate refusal to remove presidential appointees who have blundered, but who are personally close to him, does not speak well of governance and leadership.

Last but not least, President Aquino’s refusal to rationalize the impracticality of the three-headed Communications Group is a good example of obduracy.

Now comes the coup de grace by creating and superimposing the Office of the Chief of Staff pari passu with the Office of the Executive Secretary which in practice and functions operates as the President’s Chief of Staff. It is a disaster waiting to happen.

When all is said and done, the general consensus is that President Benigno Aquino, with his usual stubbornness, is not only adding another layer of bureaucracy but will obviously add to his headaches and further aggravate palace intramurals.

Despite his hubristic tendency and obduracy, President Aquino needs to bear in mind a reminder from Bret Harte that ‘’All you know about luck is that it’s bound to change.’’

You be the judge.

(For comments and views, please e-mail: chaff_fromthegrain@yahoo.com.ph)