Perennial handicap

At a recent Management Association of the Philippines lunch meeting, a heated argument reportedly ensued between Air 21 chairman Bert Lina and Makati Business Club chairman Ramon “Boy Blue” del Rosario. Boy Blue insists Customs Commissioner Lito Alvarez should voluntarily resign because the latter could be a “perennial handicap” for President Aquino due to the golf “cheating incident” during the Mango Tee tournament at the Alabang Golf and Country Club. Alvarez, who used to work for Bert Lina as one of his top executives, was defended by his former boss who said the Customs chief is not only qualified to do the job owing to his experience in the shipping business but most importantly, knows all the “shenanigans” that happen in the Customs. In just three weeks, Alvarez has already been able to identify two companies allegedly used as fronts by smuggling syndicates for bringing in electronics appliances and agricultural products. Two major commodities have also been identified that have cost the government as much as P32 billion in lost revenues for under valuing declarations. Customs Commissioner Alvarez has already made himself vulnerable to death threats and “demolition jobs” from powerful smuggling syndicates. Because of these, President Aquino has assigned members of the elite Presidential Security Group to secure the new Customs commissioner – a clear sign that the President himself trusts the capabilities of Lito Alvarez and does not consider him a “perennial handicap.”

JPMorgan Chase chairman’s secret trip

Roberto “Bobbit” Panlilio, senior country officer of JPMorgan Chase in the Philippines, spent many years living in the United States and could have had a comfortable life. As a Filipino, he decided to come back and do something for the country. A couple of years ago he convinced the Chairman of JPMorgan to make a trip to Manila. Insisting on a “no fanfare” trip, JPMorgan Chairman Jamie Dimon flew quietly into the country in his own private jet and met with key employees of the local office. Convinced, he told Bobbit Panlilio to go ahead with his plans to expand the local JPMorgan office. In five years, the global investment house has grown so big, with more than 9,000 employees and 10,300 seats from an initial staff of 700 working on just two floors in a building in Makati. Just recently, JP Morgan dedicated its own 23-story building at the Global City in Fort Bonifacio that houses 6,100 seats – the firm’s largest facility so far – for a variety of support services such as credit analysis, research, finance, treasury and securities and a host of others. If there’s anything, Bobbit Panlilio is the example of a true Filipino who was educated and lived abroad, and could have chosen to stay there – but decided to come back because he believes in the Philippines.

Battle of the networks

The fierce fighting between ABS-CBN and GMA 7 – the country’s two biggest networks – continues, but the entry of ABC 5 into the big league has made the industry even more competitive driving the network war even more. News scoops involving spokesman Edwin Lacierda and even President Noy himself have become sore issues of contention. But GMA 7 scored a big one at its recent 60th Anniversary bash and coffee table book launching with PNoy as guest of honor who lauded the network for being the “light of truth.” The President arrived just a few minutes before the start of the program, as usual going through traffic with his “no wang-wang” policy. The guest list was a virtual “who’s who” with Vice President Jojo Binay, Cabinet officials, senators, business and society bigwigs in attendance. Coming from the Port Area, Speaker Sonny Belmonte took one-and-a-half hours having to go through rush hour traffic. The Speaker had no choice but to follow the “no wang-wang” rule of the President. It’s unbelievable how the network has become what it is today after 60 years, from a one studio “mom and pop” shop with Uncle Bob Stewart to the thousands the Kapuso network employs today. Credit goes to GMA 7’s major stockholders – Felipe Gozon, Bibit Duavit and Nards Jimenez for making the network what it is today.

So far, so good

From day one, PNoy had made it very clear to all his relatives that he will grant them no special favors and will not allow any kind of “influence peddling” in his administration. So far, that rule seems to have been strictly observed. First Cousin Antonio “Tony Boy” Cojuangco (actually he is the President’s second cousin), who was one of PNoy’s biggest campaign contributors, has decided to help his cousin even more by investing heavily in tourism. Tony Boy is putting in as much as P800 million to develop the Binictican hotel and golf course in Subic and turn it into a world-class tourism facility with a five star hotel and an 18-hole golf course – something which has been long overdue for the troubled facility. On the other hand, First Uncle Peping Cojuangco has repeatedly said he will help his nephew by concentrating on the promotion of sports excellence in his capacity as President of the Philippine Olympic Committee. One area in government that is a favorite of presidential relatives is the Customs. According to Commissioner Lito Alvarez, since he took over the Bureau of Customs he has not received a single call from any relative nor from the Palace – not even a request for Customs assistance at the international airport. So far, so good.

Not even an ear

Several weeks before the ICC decision favoring the Philippine Government on the Fraport-Piatco fiasco, a close Aquino family friend was reportedly requested by Piatco proponents to whisper to the President that they were ready to do a compromise deal with the government. President Noynoy supposedly brushed the friend aside and would hear none of it.

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