Analysts say Aquino can apologize for Mamasapano without saying ‘sorry’  

Critics and supporters alike had advised President Benigno Aquino III to apologize for the January 25 Mamasapano clash, but it was counsel the president has chosen to reject. 

 

However, political analyst Prof. Prospero de Vera and public relations expert  Reli German told GMA 7's "24 Oras" on Tuesday that the Aquino's reluctance to apologize was understandable.

 

 

"Yung salitang sorry ay nabahiran na 'yan ng masama dahil sa ginawa ni Gloria Macapagal Arroyo noong panahon niya,” explained de Vera. 

 

Instead of using the word “sorry”, it would be better and more accurate for the president to use another term, de Vera added. “Yung equivalent niyan sa Filipino ay mas malalim at mas mabigat ang dating sa taumbayan. 'Yung pagtanggap ng pagkukulang at panghingi ng dispensa.”

 

German was of the same mind. “Kalimutan na natin yung word na 'sorry.' I deeply regret, talagang kinalulungkot ko ang naganap doon. Inaako ko ang lahat bilang commander-in-chief at pangulo. At gagawin ko lahat ang aking makakaya upang hindi na ito ma ulit,” he advised.

 

Both De Vera and German hoped the president will take the opportunity during Thursday's Philippine National Police Academy graduation rites to take responsibility for the Mamasapano clash, without laying blame on anyone else.

 

And once Aquino addresses the matter correctly, the public may be able to get past the hard feelings over the clash. De Vera pointed out the public was reasonable, and people know that some things were beyond the president's control.

 

Neither do de Vera and German think that an apology will derail the president's “Daang Matuwid” program, nor will it turn him into a lame duck.

 

“Makikita pa rin naman ng tao, marami namang nangyayari na maganda sa ating ekonomiya. Before his term ends, marami pa sigurong mga positive news na lalabas," German said. — Rie Takumi/DVM, GMA News