Tali ho, Tali ha?

Milenyo had just passed, driving public sentiment strongly against billboards with people calling for the dismantling of these structures. But in the exclusive Tali Beach Subdivision in Nasugbu, Batangas, a large billboard in front of the subdivision’s main gate was put up by property developer Far East Enterprises, announcing that, "Only Fausto Preysler Jr., immediate family and household and none other are allowed to access the property outside of Tali Subdivision, until such time, and only if and when, RTC case No. 345 for permanent easement of right of way may be resolved in his favor" — much to the surprise of the many diplomats and guests at a consular lunch hosted by honorary consul general to Costa Rica Fausto Preysler Jr. The billboard was clearly a vicious attempt by Far East Enterprises vice president Martin Bernasconi to deny access to the consul and his guests. It will be recalled that the diplomat has been waging a 10-year legal battle against the subdivision developer for right of access to his Tali beach front property. In a July 11, 2006 ruling, the Supreme Court ordered the private developer to allow the use of the subdivision roads for the right of passage for Preysler’s visitors and guests, for which the developers had filed a motion for reconsideration before the Supreme Court. As one diplomat for a major country said, "After two years being in this country, it’s no longer surprising to see something like this." It’s only in the Philippines where people wash their dirty billboard linen in public.

Remorseful and reprimanded

The assignee of the Swiss-based multinational company who displayed ungentlemanly behavior during a game at the Manila Golf Club has been issued a reprimand by Club president Raoul Romulo. It can be recalled that the assignee was rushing his golf game and kept hitting the ball despite repeated reminders from his caddies that there were still other players in the green. Apparently, the South Asian executive recognized the error of his ways and was appropriately remorseful, hence the strong reprimand, instead of the expulsion previously demanded by the complainants. The assignee is lucky that he showed remorse; otherwise, he would have been lynched by the "mob" at the Manila Golf Club.

Spy tidbiz: EDJA history unveiled

After Loren Legarda, it’s Sen. Edgardo J. Angara’s turn to launch his biography entitled Seer of Sea and Sierra, written by the late National Artist Nick Joaquin just before he passed away. The book, to be launched this Nov. 16 at The Loft in Rockwell, gives a glimpse of the remarkable career of the Senator and his views on a number of issues. Memoirs are usually for people about to retire but not Ed Angara who is gunning for re-election in the 2007 polls, and with people around him still hoping to see the Senator take on the leadership of this country someday.

* * *

Join our ring of Eye-spies by sending your intelligence information, complaints, pictures, and comments to [email protected].

All information will be strictly confidential.