A matter of timing

Here’s another puzzle that’s time-related. In today’s Inq7 breaking-news report, Brother Eddie Villanueva said he was asked by certain persons (whom he could not name because of a "gentleman’s agreement") to join a transition government in late 2005. But the AFP report said Villanueva, who of course ran for the presidency in May 2004 and lost, was approached "shortly after" the elections.

Same difference, right? Actually, no. Let’s discuss this a little later at greater length.