P2-billion club suit

A column in the Aug. 27 issue of Today wrote about the continuing saga of the case against DMCI and we quote: It’s a good thing DMCI didn’t mention "leisure clubs" since the very mention of anything Consunji-owned brings less than happy memories to some 2,000 investors – many of them hard working businessmen – who in the late 1990s invested P1 million each to buy shares in the almost wholly Consunji-owned publicly listed Universal Rightsfield which was promising to build what it widely promoted as "five clubs in one". To cut a long story short, P2 billion was collected in membership fees by Universal Rightsfield, but to this day nothing has been built. The investors have since lodged a class-action suit against the Universal Rightsfield board of directors which included assorted Consunjis and Cesar Buenaventura who is a leading member of the Makati Business Club, whose unrelenting mantra is good governance. Now tell us: Is this good governance?

Anti-corruption watchdog bites own tail

It seems the newly formed anti-corruption watchdog calling itself the Philippine Monitoring Group (PMG) has found itself at the receiving end of media scrutiny and accusations of corruption. The group sent press releases to columnists urging GMA to conduct lifestyle checks on DOTC, and slammed Assistant Secretary Robert Castanares for alleged corruption activities. The PMG press release pointed to Castanares as the one responsible for "tainting the good name" of DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza. The "watchdog" said Castanares makes foreign contractors "cough up" huge sums for contracts to push through. Interestingly, PMG, which claims that it will soon be connected to a "global anti-graft body based in Washington DC," seems to be confused, claiming that it is a newly-created anti-corruption watchdog that was established in 2002. It’s probably this kind of confusion that has turned the tables on the group for daring to conduct a sting on a former top cop. Must be a case of a watchdog barking up the wrong tree and biting its own tail in the process.

The untouchable

A ranking transport and communication official known for his skill in sailing amid rough waters and keeping himself afloat despite administration changes is said to be undermining the agency where he is currently serving. Reports reached our Spy-ring that this official has been obstructing efforts to upgrade his agency’s standards to international levels, and that he has refused to approve awards or bids for projects without any clear basis. He also allegedly thwarted efforts by other officials to represent the Philippines in important international conferences. As if to show that he can abuse his position with impunity, the said official arranged for the transfer of a senior official, who was his right-hand man in a previous appointment, to his current office. This official is reportedly the subject of an anti-graft and corruption complaint filed with the Ombudsman but he reportedly used his influence to make the case languish in the freezer. The untouchable official has also been known for his penchant to upgrade his and his wife’s economy class travel tickets. Could his relation to a shadowy power-broker be the reason for his untouchability?

Revenge of the Nerds

Geeks and nerds, rejoice! According to a study conducted by UCLA, women prefer scrawny men over macho and brawny guys. That’s because thin-looking guys are perceived to be more faithful and more likely to make long-term, committed investments in a relationship. The study also showed that while women still think that muscular men are more attractive and perceived to be better in bed, they are also regarded as less faithful, less likely to treat women well, and less emotionally sensitive. In short, women want to marry skinny men because they are considered to be great husband material, while muscular men are only good for flings and a little fun.

py tidbiz: Far-sighted Megaworld

S Megaworld bought the property in front of NAIA 3 and is planning a mixed-use development of hotels and malls for the lot. The project has all the necessary permits already. Despite the ghosts at NAIA 3, at least something positive will emerge at the site.

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