A Discussion of Ekstranghero*

This is in reference to Ekstranghero.*

Rememeber that post when I shared I could have been cited as an author of a paper on fiscal decentralization? Well, last Saturday, I and two of my best college buddies, Lando and Den San, had a sumptuous dinner at Dampa-Farmers. And this academic dishonesty/intellectual theft/plagiarism was our ‘dessert.’ Both of them wanted me to confront the professor for so many reasons.  Lando felt betrayed (of course this was actually the alcohol kicking in) that I am not confronting that professor because during our college years, he cited me twice in his papers because he was afraid that I might get mad at him if he submits my idea to his professor. Den San felt almost the same way because he was almost equally drunk that time. No other reason.

Anyway, after some discussion on Russia being a potential/returning hegemon, and the Green Movement being the next big thing, they were able to convince me that I should, at the very least, ask for an explanation from that professor. And I am almost 100% sure I am going to do that. I am a bit hesitant because of the possible headache that this might cause me. What if — just a WHAT IF — this professor, instead of making an explanation, started a legal battle (does she have a cause? I don’t know) against me? I don’t know. Can she cite malicious something? Anyway, Den San’s fiancee is a lawyer, and he already committed free counsel, in case that would happen. Lando has connections with the civil society and I am guessing he’ll be at my back no matter what. (Imagine, the civil society is included in my concern!)

Lando started drafting the letter already (yeah, he’s the one so eager to pursue this) , and I believe he cited “I” want the professor to explain to ADB and the university that I am the first author, so to speak, or at the very least revise the paper with me as a co-author with an explanation why such happened. I know this won’t happen. I mean, will a professor ever admit that ‘mistake’? Naah! Which brings me to Den San’s idea — an under the table settlement. I was thinking 100G… But when Den San said an ADB case study is worth more than a million, I immediately retracted. Den San suggested 1M. Nyahaha! Ang sarap mangarap. Tax-free pa!

No, I won’t be doing this. I’m just happy I was able make a paper  like that. (And modesty aside, I have hundreds of papers like that in my hard drive. Woohoo! Yabang!) And also, I need some substance (kahit medyo mahangin) in this blog. This has been flooded with images during my last couple of posts. Kahiya naman.