To thine own self be true

I can count the times I have met or talked with Senator Imee Marcos on one hand, and a few fingers. But only in recent times have I had a chance to speak with her face to face, shields down.

- CITO BELTRAN

The latest was during a lunch she hosted with several editors and columnists in print media; before that was dinner with Senator Imee and several of her associates who were hoping to make peace between Imee and PBBM. That meeting proved to be pointless because Imee pointed out that there is no fight between PBBM and Manang Imee. They disagree on things, but the discord is caused by kamag-anaks. She was clearly outspoken, even borderline dismissive at times.

But what I thought as being dismissive was Imee simply not wanting to waste time on pointless chatter about family and political alliances. Her sarcasm may be veiled with a chuckle but always it would leave bite marks when she wanted to. As the saying goes, "She does not suffer fools gladly."

For many people, Imee Marcos' blunt, straightforward manner and speech comes across as rude, or perhaps insulting, especially when you read all the demolition PR against her. But then again, you know where you stand and what she thinks of you.

As the book of Proverbs teaches us: "Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." Proverbs 27: 5-7.

One of the terms she frequently utters is "Tama na ang plastikan" or putting up pretentions or being a hypocrite. Having grown up in the center of Philippine politics, Imee Marcos has clearly reached the point where brutal honesty gets more real results.