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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Locsin recalls Nobel Prize frustration as he congratulates Ressa

Locsin recalls Nobel Prize frustration as he congratulates Ressa

Published Dec 11, 2021 06:10 pm

Maria Ressa's in-person acceptance of her Nobel Peace Prize has reminded Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teddy Boy Locsin of one of his great frustrations in life.

DFA Secretary Teddy Boy Locsin (Photo from Teddy Boy Locsin's Facebook)


No, it's not to win the coveted award himself; instead, it's his supposed failure to put his former boss, the late President Cory Aquino, on the Nobel Prize stage.

"Congratulations again," tweeted Locsin as he shared a news article of journalist Ressa's acceptance of the award at the Oslo City Hall in Oslo, Norway, on Friday, Dec. 10. Also receiving the award alongside Ressa was Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov.

"And thank you both for exposing the danger of social media—that unaccountable and irresponsible medium where nothing of value is at stake unlike in newspaper publishing & broadcasting. The truth doesn't stand a chance in the fast flood of amateur lies," Locsin said.

"I only regret not putting Cory on that stage—despite her actualizing the mythical concept of people power; making it beat guns, goons and gold; inspiring the color revolutions that freed Eastern Europe and ended the Cold War. I just couldn't pull it off for her; a Costa Rican won," the outspoken Duterte Cabinet member continued.

Locsin was referring to the bloodless 1986 People Power Revolution, which ended the two-decade regime of strongman Ferdinand Marcos. Aquino was installed as Philippine president after the revolt.

Locsin was the former legal counsel and speechwriter of Aquino, who passed away on Aug. 1, 2009.

Had Aquino's people managed to make the case for her to win the Nobel Prize, she would have been the first Filipino to do so. Instead, that distinction now belongs to Ressa.

The DFA head honcho was among the first local officials to acknowledge Ressa's historic victory. In fact, he did it before Malacañang's formal acknowledgement.

Ressa is the co-founder of a local new site that's perceived to be critical of the current Duterte administration.

Related Tags

President Duterte cory aquino Nobel Prize Maria Ressa DFA social media Nobel Peace Prize Dmitry Muratov teddy boy locsin regret 121121 frustrations people power
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