‘Arriba Arrovo!’

BSP Governor Say Tetangco reportedly got a few Spanish expletives from GMA shortly after she arrived from Hong Kong the other day because of the "Arrovo" error. While BSP has announced that the misspelled bills are still considered legal tender, those in possession are not likely to let go of them due to the anticipation that these bills will soon become a collector’s item. Already, people reportedly are offering as much as P150 for one bill. The numismatic Spy-Ring told us that even international collectors have been making inquiries. Because of the nasty comments about the misspelled "Arrovo" sounding like "robó" which means "steal" in Spanish, word is the "Arrovo" bill will soon be rubbed out. Arriba, Arrovo, Aruba? Sounds French to us!

Subic proxy fights

Insiders reported that the rivalry between the SBMA chair and administrator has allegedly extended to getting control of big income earner Freeport Service Corp., an SBMA subsidiary. SBMA chair Feliciano Salonga, who reportedly tells people at every opportunity that he is the father of Lea Salonga, is backed by the Magsaysay clan while SBMA administrator Armand Arreza was allegedly appointed on the strength of a recommendation from Sen. Dick Gordon. FSC is 95 percent owned by the SBMA, and Salonga is claiming chairmanship of the nine-man FSC board as well as the right to appoint directors. On the other hand, Arreza has reportedly indicated that he will ask the SMBA board to appoint him as its nominee to the FSC board. Meanwhile, FSC head Gen. Jose Calimlim could not be nudged from his position because he reportedly has the nod of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo. It looks like the fight to control FSC is more like a proxy war between the two political clans in an anticipated showdown for the 2007 elections, because the subsidiary is said to be the biggest employment "agency" in the Freeport Zone. Our Siamese Spy-Ring reported that the sharp decline in tourist arrivals since the tsunami has prompted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to revive plans to introduce casinos to boost the sagging tourism industry and check increased competition from rival Asian destinations. Thaksin first unveiled his casino plan a year ago but was strongly criticized by devout Buddhists who said the casinos would promote gambling and spark social problems. The Thai government wants to build at least four casinos in tourism hotspots such as Phuket or Pattaya, while two will be built in less popular locations. The government also plans to promote Chiang Mai Night Safari as a new magnet for northern tourism. The park, which was scheduled to open in November, will be packaged as a new tourism product focusing on Thai culture and will feature a night safari, theme park, monorail system and Lanna traditional activities to compete with Hong Kong’s Disneyland. While the Philippines‚ House of Representatives has already approved the renewal of the PAGCOR charter, the Senate is still preoccupied with spending dwindling government resources on investigations purportedly "in aid of legislation" that have not yielded anything concrete to immediately address these problems. Vital economic measures that could address the bulging deficit and push the country forward are relegated to the back burner while our regional neighbors continue to surge forward.

Spybiz bulletin: Ateneo HS’80 hosts Ateneo homecoming

The alumni Spy-Ring informed us that Labora Dure, Lude Dure! will be the theme for the Grand Ateneo Alumni Homecoming set on Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Ateneo de Manila High School. It will reportedly be an evening of fun and fellowship to be hosted by Asia Agcaoili, Gabe Mercadom and Arnie Alafriz. The jubilarian classes of 1955, 1965, 1980 and 1995 from the Ateneo College, High School and Grade School will be honored that evening, as well as Ateneo athletes from the past, including the champion juniors UAAP basketball and track teams from 1979-1980, the current Men’s UAAP basketball team and the current UAAP Ladies basketball champions, the Ateneo Lady Eagles. The 2005 Grand Ateneo Alumni Homecoming is sponsored by Smart, San Miguel Corp., PLDT, Ayala Land, Sony Ericsson, Brittany Corp., Federal Land, Bidshot Auctions, PAGCOR, Ayala Corp., Bank of the Philippine Islands, Philam Plans and 105.1FM Crossover. The Ateneo Homecoming is hosted by the Ateneo High School Class of 1980.

Spy tidbiz: Off the Mark

Our Spybiz sources in the US told us that the homecoming of controversial ex-fugitive Mark Jimenez was deliberately postponed because of a supposed credible threat to his life. There are stories going around that he might be "offed" upon his arrival. The announced new date may either be earlier or later than the real schedule. Word is Mark plans to charter a plane from Hong Kong and land in Clark.

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