His kumpare mentality was set in cement. This proved hazardous to the Inquirer. He only had to complain about this paper and his kumpares did the rest. Airlines, telecom firms, banks, real estate, the movie industry and businesses big and small, pulled out their ads. Some who initially stood their ground were threatened by a BIR audit.
Ad revenues are the lifeblood of any media outlet.
For five months, the Inquirer bled. He didn t get it. We had broken bread together. We were friends again. Being friends with a President is certainly a privilege.