BEFORE the headline topic, deepest apologies are in order to Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago “Chito” Sta. Romana and former Interior secretary Rafael Alunan, chairman of the Philippine Council for Foreign Relations, or PCFR, who hosted the envoy at its Zoom forum on China issues on August 29.

This writer regrets having violated the Chatham Rules governing the Saturday morning online discussion, which barred participants from making public the proceedings. This protocol enables Ambassador Sta. Romana and other participants to speak their mind without fear that what they say would be known outside the forum.