Ali Sotto
From the United States, TV host-actress Ali Sotto e-mailed Inquirer her view on the raging controversy surrounding “Thrilla in NAIA”:
“This controversy has so many angles, but I will hone in on those I feel strongest about.
“The debate on press freedom and the public’s right to information on one hand, and the right to privacy on the other, has been ongoing for ages. It is made more complicated in this digital era, when anybody can whip out a cell phone and record events, sometimes without the permission of the subject.
“I have had cameras trained on me while I’m in the mall, in the gym, or just eating out. It is intrusive, rude and disrespectful to do so without asking. I vehemently disagree with the view that it is acceptable because we are public figures. Just ask, and chances are, celebrities will agree.
“Of course, Raymart and Claudine in a brawl with Mon Tulfo has a bigger shock-and-awe factor than [most]. So we would all do well to comport ourselves.
“We insist on our rights but forget our obligations. The airline has the right to offload baggage due to weight restrictions but it is obligated to inform the passengers beforehand and apologize. I have the right to demand good service, promo fares or not, and the right to complain if they are remiss in their duties, but I should do so politely and humanely. One achieves more by being nice.
“If they could go back in time, I bet my bottom peso that Raymart, Claudine and Ramon would do things differently.”—Bayani San Diego Jr.