When Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay called Secretary Ricky Carandang of the Malacañang communications group “arrogant” and a “spoiled brat” (among several other unflattering names), I winced.

Most people saw and heard it all on national television during the live coverage of the public hearing on the communications budget of Malacañang. (Her totally unexpected outburst made good TV, of course. As public hearings on the budget go, drama of the kind that makes people sit up and cheer are as rare as the times you would see…well…Carandang smile.)

The brief footage of their exchanges (which ended when Carandang said, “I’m sorry” almost to himself) was replayed again and again by the major networks until the late-night news. It was the perfect grab for prime-time TV.

That Magsaysay, a close political ally and defender on the House floor of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, never bothered to couch her words in parliamentary niceties, was totally unexpected, of course. That was what made it all the more sensational.

Obviously, Mitos Magsaysay knew all along that she was playing to the stands. She also knew that she had caught the nation’s attention with her colorful and razor-sharp words reverberating across the nation.

When Carandang finally caved in with a soft apology, did you notice how the outspoken lawmaker faced the TV camera and thumbed her nose in triumph?

That was a really bratty gesture made by one who had just called the other person a spoiled brat. (For a while there, I thought she would also wiggle her hips while repeatedly taunting Secretary Carandang with, “NYA-NYA-NYA-NYA-NYA!” which you usually hear only in children’s playgrounds.)

There’s no question, of course, that Representative Magsaysay had come fully prepared for the public hearing. What could have moved her to be harsher on Carandang? Was she perhaps just getting even for having been herself mercilessly pilloried in a past talk show on ABS-CBN anchored by Carandang?

Whatever the reason, the incident served as a poignant reminder to all former journalists who, when the political winds blew their way, found themselves elevated to some Cabinet positions with fancy titles.

They are the ones who now find themselves at the receiving end of public criticism or commentary that they used to dish out with the use of shovels.

Magsaysay’s words rang loud and clear when she said something to this effect: You are no longer an anchorman of ABS-CBN. You are now a government appointee paid out of taxpayers’ money. You, therefore, have no justification for being so arrogant in your present position.

The TV footage showed that Manuel Quezon, who used to write a column for one of the major dailies, was seated right beside Carandang. He is undersecretary or deputy secretary under Carandang and was apparently providing staff support for his boss.

If you take a look at the organizational chart of what once was the Office of the Press Secretary, by the way, you would find a three-headed organization (not a “three-legged hydra” as another columnist used to repeatedly say) and a complex maze of functions overlapping one another. But who, among the three press secretaries, would you say is the “primus inter pares” or the first among equals?

Answer: It’s hard to say.

But if you go by the rule that whoever controls the purse strings controls the department, then that would be Secretary Sonny Coloma. Coloma also has the rarely cited distinction of being officially confirmed by the Commission on Appointments.

Carandang and Edwin Lacierda didn’t have to go through the same rigmarole but fully enjoy the perks of secretaryship.

There’s no question that Representative Magsaysay had put one over Carandang, and with a great flourish at that! And so, in perspective, I tend to view Carandang’s behavior with a kindlier eye.

First of all, it’s no easy task to shake off the attitude of condescension or moral ascendancy that media practitioners invariably take as they strive to ferret out the truth in behalf of the greater many. Apparently, Carandang has not quite gotten out of that mold, and for that, I would give him the benefit of the doubt.

But the sooner he accepts the reality of his present role, where the shoe is on the other foot, the faster he would be able to adjust, I’m sure. For starters he might perhaps try to learn to be less serious in his mien and smile a lot more. Nothing attracts people more than a sunny disposition.

Looking back, Secretary Ramon “Ricky” Carandang was plastered real good by the firebrand from Zambales, but he took it with grace and humility. That was a fine display of self-control and, more important, breeding. Carandang traces his roots to the Laurels, I am told. This is a respected clan in Tanauan, Batangas, with a distinguished record in public service.

If I were in his position during the public hearing, I’m not quite sure how I would have handled myself in the face of all that blunt badgering. Pushed to the verge of exploding, Carandang may have realized that the world would end up honoring him more for not frontally meeting her. The move enabled him to get out of the jam with a minimum of injury. Can you imagine what bedlam would have ensued had he raised his voice and used choice words of his own to get back at the lady? (Carandang’s vocabulary is nothing to sneeze at, being an experienced public speaker.)

He must have realized the futility of picking a fight with a woman. You never win.

There’s a dictum, etched in stone, that has served me well throughout my career and life. It is simply this:

Never ever argue with a woman. ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )