'Magic 8'

One of our Spy Bits informants in the Senate revealed that so far, eight senators are leaning towards acquitting Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez from the impeachment complaint. The eight senators primarily feel that most of the charges leveled against Merci are without clear evidence. But they say this perspective can change once the Senate proceedings start and feasible evidence can be presented that would prove Gutierrez culpable of the charges against her. Despite the outcome which Gutierrez has attributed to “dark politics” being at play, she refuses to bow down to pressure for her to quit or even go on leave. Merci has consistently asserted she has nothing to hide, her conscience is clear, and is standing pat on her statement that she has done nothing wrong in her over 40 years in government.

Many foreign observers are watching the impeachment proceedings to see whether our Constitutional system works or not, and just how independent the current crop of senators can be. A lot more people who have no bias one way or the other are waiting to see who among these senators will focus on the evidence at hand. They are hopeful the majority of the senators will not be swayed by public opinion or political persuasion. But the fact is P-Noy used a lot of political capital to get the impeachment pushed through in Congress and has made it clear in no uncertain terms that he wants Merci Gutierrez out. This now will spell the difference in how much political clout the President will have for the remainder of his term.

But for now – just who are the ‘Magic 8’ senators? Your guess is as good as mine – but perhaps people can observe the senators’ demeanor to figure out who they are. Or maybe better yet, employ the services of Fox TV’s “Cal Lightman” who’s an expert in deciphering facial expressions and body language.

Johnson yata ‘yan!

SC Johnson Philippines inaugurated its new building at J.P. Rizal in Makati the other day with top SCJ executives led by COO for International Markets Steven Stanbrook flying in just for the occasion. Executives from Japan, Korea and the Australian markets were also present, along with Laird Stiefvater of DraftFCB (New York) which handles SCJ’s advertising requirements. A number of SCJ Philippines retirees were also present, with the first general manager Willis “Bud” Rohling believed to be already in his nineties. From the day it began in 1886 in Racine, Wisconsin in the US as a parquet flooring business managed by Samuel Curtis Johnson Sr., SC Johnson has continued to be a family company with the fifth generation Johnson now at the helm. 

In the Philippines, the company started out with a staff of three in 1957 with Rohling as VP/general manager. From that time on, the business has steadily grown with more and more consumer products developed under the SCJ brand – from air fresheners to bathroom cleaners to floor polishers and insect repellents. Even today, a lot of people still remember the popular slogan “Johnson Yata ‘Yan!” that created such an impact on consumer consciousness.

A big milestone in the SCJ history was the acquisition of the German Bayer AG household insecticides business in 2002 which included such well-known brands as Baygon and Bayfresh. As a matter of fact, Baygon insect spray as well as Off! Lotion are best sellers that have also become synonymous with anti-dengue protection here in the Philippines. No doubt the company is here to stay for many more years to come. As some SCJ employees say, “Kaya kami tumagal, Johnson yata ‘yan!”

Reinventing the PMA

With controversies continually hounding the Armed Forces of the Philippines with Philippine Military Academy (PMA) graduates figuring in the alleged corruption scandals, calls are mounting to reinvent the PMA and devolve it into three separate military academies catering to specific branches of service such as the navy, the air force and the army. Not many people know that aside from the PMA, there are other sources of commissionship for the AFP such as the Officer Candidate School with more stringent standards since only graduates of a four-year college degree are admitted, and the Aviation Cadet Program of the Philippine Air Force which has produced very good pilots. But for some reason, the ACP was “killed” in 1998 with some alumni suspecting PMA officials of being responsible for the institution’s demise.

Spy Bits sources said a paper authored by retired general Antonio Sotelo is now being quietly distributed within the AFP, pointing out the danger of power being concentrated in the hands of an elite group of PMA alumni graduates (running the defense establishment, deciding on promotions and assignments etc.). Sotelo - commander of the 15th Air Force Strike Wing who refused to attack Camp Crame during the 1986 EDSA evolution - says the AFP should establish a Naval Academy, revive the ACP through a Philippine Air Force Academy, and leave the PMA to train regular officers only for the Army. That is the only way to promote diversity and eradicate the monopoly of power that currently pervades the military, he said.

Spy tidbits

— Manila Overseas Press Club chairman emeritus and Manila Standard Today senior columnist Emil Jurado was recently forced to resign from the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) board ostensibly because he has been such a staunch critic of the Aquino administration.

— At a recent concert of Rico J. Puno in Cebu, one of those in the audience was Governor Gwen Garcia. Fans of Rico J. know that the singer can be more than a tad naughty with his jokes and the Cebu concert was no exception - but this time, he may have gone a bit too far. In one of his spiels, “Mr. Macho Guwapito” asked the governor who “did” her: Belo or Calayan? Understandably not amused, Governor Gwen left the concert in a huff.

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