MVP no more

In the Philippines, MVP stands for two things: MVP = Most Valuable Player, in basketball. the best player, the one who's at the limelight because of his sheer ability to shoot and score (this is a simplistic way of putting it).
MVP = Manny V. Pangilinan, one of the top businessmen in the country. President of PLDT, SMART Communications, owner of a TV Station, one of the who's who in Pinoy business scene.

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MVP (as in Manny Pangilinan) was rocked by controversy last week as his speech at the commencement ceremonies at the Ateneo has certain parts lifted from speeches by J.K Rowling, Oprah Winfrey, Obama, etc.

Now, who's to blame? Okay, he had speechwriters, no doubt. Should we put the blame on those writers for being so irresponsible? Should we blame MVP, because even though he has writers, he should've checked the speech himself? But given the busy man that he is, would he have the time? But clearly, it's no excuse.

He already released an official statement containing his apologies. It is the right thing to do, there's nothing so noble about it because when you come to think of it, it is his responsibility to own up to that mistake.

As for Manny's speechwriters, I don't know if it is still necessary to name them. Some people who had commented in the blogs I've read today said that we should name those writers. Like MVP, they should say their sorries and own up to their mistake. If it would make them feel better, then come out, but expect a lot (as in tremendous amount) of flak. They wouldn't be jailed for plagiarism, there's no such law. But their reputation as writers, as well as Manny's reputation, will forever be scarred.

Plagiarism is a very serious offense (insert author here, I know somebody said it). Maybe we feel strongly against it because during our stay in Peyups, all our professors have instilled on us the value of originality, of honoring intellectual rights, of knowing how to cite sources. Maybe those writers don't have the privilege of being guided the way we were. Maybe they weren't as aware and as knowledgeable as we are. But still, they committed plagiarism, and even if they like it or not, the consequences will haunt them.

As for MVP, he would still be regarded as one of the best businessmen in the country. If we talk about this in basketball parlance, he's an MVP no more.

Now, he's a has-been who had been at the top, and is now being dragged down because of something called plagiarism.

I could only wish the best for him. As for his speechwriters, I hope that they do not lose their passion for writing, and after what happened, should they decide to continue their writing career, I guess they should learn about the do's and don't's first.