It’s not yet over

The lawyers as well as the management of Cyberbay Corp. are not calling it quits yet. After all more than P9 billion in investments is not a joke.

According to a top Cyberbay official, they have yet to receive an official copy of the Supreme Court ruling which nullified the contract between Cyberbay (formerly Amari Coastal Development Corp.) and the Public Estates Authority (PEA) to develop a 750-hectare Manila Bay reclamation project. Once they get a copy, the first thing they’ll will try to find out is whether or not the SC’s decision is final.

Voting 8-5, the High Court, in a decision penned by Justice Antonio Carpio, voided the deal, saying that reclaimed lands cannot be sold to private enterprises.

So what will happen now to other reclamation projects in the country where the developers were paid by the PEA using part of the reclaimed property. These include the projects of Wenceslao & Jan de Nul Consortium, Shoemart Inc., Royal Asia, TOA Corp., FF Cruz, Seaoil, Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp. and Construction Development Corp? Where will government get the money to pay all these developers?

The collapse of more than 10 land reclamation projects is already being predicted to result in a collapse of the banking industry and the local stock market.

New Year, New Head

Smart Communications Inc. president and chief executive officer Napoleon ‘Poli’ Nazareno says he felt challenged when he learned that he was nominated by no less than PLDT top honcho Manny Pangilinan to be his replacement. All the more when Manny insisted that if he is indeed anointed as the new PLDT president, Poli should remain as head of Smart. Tough job.

Expect PLDT chairman Tonyboy Cojuangco to quit his post even earlier than Jan. 1 next year as he prepares for his new and more exciting life as the owner and president of the Associated Broadcasting Corp. (ABC-5). Once this happens, the PLDT board will call for a special meeting to hold the election for a new chairman. Manny will be named chairman, leaving his post as president vacant. This is where Poli enters the scene.

The challenge for Poli is not so much making miracles happen at PLDT, but taking over the big shoes that will be left by Manny. After all, MVP was able to sail PLDT past so much rough and treacherous waters. He is now leaving PLDT at a time when most of its problems have already been solved. Manny even jokingly said that it was kind of disappointing that someone else will take the credit for it.

Renewable Energy

I have read your article of Nov. 9 about the promise of renewable energy.

In connection with this, and hoping that you have encountered through your research and/or experience/interviews, I would like to inquire if you have come across any type of battery or power source that is an alternative to the common gas-powered generator?

I have read once, quite long ago, an article about a power source that is noiseless and pollution-free, but I have misplaced the article. Is it possible to have such a power source for say, 600 watts (the amount used by the lights in our house here in the province) to 1,400 watts? Is there a solar powered battery that could run electric lights and appliances if there is a black-out?

There are no Philippine websites I could access regarding these questions, and seeing as how you have had a first hand encounter with renewable energy, I hope I am not too far out of line. – Joe Macaranas

Solar Technology

Your article at Philippine STAR was really a big boost for optimism. I’m an architect who has been trying to get hold of anything about solar technology since my high school days. I have even tried making studies for solar houses for our country. Unfortunately, there were always obstacles. Some friends would even argue with my ideas on the future ofsolar technology for the Philippines. With your article, I have something to show my ‘unbelievers’... I would like to ask if you can refer to me some companies or websites that you encountered that I canpossibly access. I’m also desperately seeking for a training course in this field. Any information that you can provide will be highly appreciated. – Ed Castro

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