August 12, 1985
THE PHILIPPINE INQUIRER

Adrian Crisotbal’s thesis of the creative tension among the devil’s advocates, court jesters, and sycophants surrounding a ruler (Inquirer, Aug. 5-11) is intriguing, to say the least.

I see no such creative tension in the Marcos government.

Many professionals in government see themselves as devil’s advocates. But they are treated as court jesters by President and Mrs. Marcos who dismiss their recommendations as jokes. To remain in the Marcoses’ good graces, these devil’s advocates become partisans. They defend against the very decisions they advised against.

As this vicious circle goes on, the general public more and more gets to regard them as sycophants. And worse, the Marcoses more and more get to regard them as court jesters who can be disregarded.

BENJAMIN H. LOZADA