Much as I decry the arrogance of Roberto Ongpin, Jaime Laya, Estelito Mendoza, and J. Conrado Benitez, I admit a certain grudging admiration for these men for being decent enough to use their own names when making outrageous claims or proposing hare-brained schemes.

This is certainly far more than I can say of that bunch of self-proclaimed oppositionists who call themselves the ANF. These people are presumptious enough to tell us who we should vote for and are arrogant enough to recommend to the prospective president who should be chosen for Cabinet positions.

But instead of doing the honorable thing -- quitting a government they claim they have no use for (to the point of plotting its downfall), these self-proclaimed political messiahs piously claim they must remain in their government positions from which perspective they can better evaluate prospective leaders. And to remain in these positions (and to draw high salaries and other perquisites) they must remain anonymous.

What I cannot understand is why your magazine was taken in by a bunch of opportunists so obviously trying to play both sides against the middle.

SONNY DE LOS REYES