FOR public disclosure, I spent my entire newspaper career covering the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Three years as a foreign correspondent for Agence France-Presse, and another three as a reporter-columnist of the Manila Daily Bulletin. Then I served in the Cabinet; 10 years as press secretary, presidential spokesman, minister of information, all in a concurrent capacity.

Then six years at the interim Batasang Pambansa, and nine years in the Senate mostly as Senate majority leader, and erstwhile chairman of foreign relations in both the chamber and the Commission on Appointments.