P-Noy's clandestine visit

Spy Bits informants sent us unconfirmed reports that President Noynoy secretly visited former ARMM governor Zaldy Ampatuan currently detained in Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan. Sketchy information from assets within the Camp claim that PNP chief superintendent Alan Purisima was not advised of the visit by P-Noy, who reportedly visited incognito by using unmarked civilian vehicles not identified with the Palace. Insiders within the staff of General Purisima said the President had a conversation with Zaldy Ampatuan – not at all to cut a deal but to ferret out more information about the alleged cheating that happened during the 2004 and 2007 elections and determine whether Ampatuan’s info is “A-1” or not.

The recent revelations of poll irregularities by former Maguindanao Comelec supervisor Lintang Bedol and Ampatuan bring to focus once again the need for transparent and credible elections especially in Mindanao with allegations of massive vote rigging happening in the region. A lot of people were disappointed with the postponement of the ARMM elections to 2013 and fear the prospect of going back to the old “mano-mano” system or worse, a mongrel that makes use of part automation, part manual conduct of the elections as proposed by certain sectors.

Despite the criticism being fanned by losing bidders and their cohorts, the 2010 automated elections has been lauded by international observers, the most recent of which was the 70-page final report released by the Carter Center election observation mission that said the May 2010 political exercise was marked by “relatively high public trust and confidence on the use of the optical mark technology” provided by Smartmatic-TIM. Founded by former president Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn in 1982, the Carter Center – a global peace advocacy institution based in Georgia – gave several recommendations on further improving the voting process and increasing the technical capacity of the Comelec and the Board of Election Inspectors.

 While the Carter Center virtually gave its seal of approval to the 2010 automated polls, one of its most important recommendations is an overhaul of the 1985 Omnibus Election Code to clear the way for a “single, comprehensive electoral law that fully considers and integrates provisions for automation” that would also be responsive to the country’s “changing electoral structure and use for automated voting.” President Noy has been very emphatic about implementing “change” in the way we do things in this country - and perhaps he can consider these recommendations as he mulls the implications of whatever revelations Zaldy Ampatuan may have provided during their talk.

La Salle’s renewed godfather

Business tycoon Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco has always been a staunch advocate of sports in this country, proven by his support of basketball teams from the hugely popular Northern Consolidated Cement in the ’80s to the current San Miguel Corp. teams playing in the Philippine Basketball Association or the PBA. Which is why it doesn’t come as a surprise that he is, once again, the patron of the Green Archers – the basketball team of La Salle where the former ambassador finished high school.

Boss Danding – as the SMC chairman is fondly called by close associates – was honored last year as a La Sallian Master (which stands for “Mavens, Stewards, Trailblazers and Entrepreneurs Resource) for his contributions to this country not only as a businessman but as a philanthropist and advocate for sports and education. The award was launched just last year and is given to exemplary La Salle alumni who have used the values and education they learned to help fellow Filipinos, living up to the academic institution’s credo of “achievers for God and country.” The ceremonies were quietly held sans fanfare in La Salle Taft, with only Boss Danding’s family members and a few close friends in attendance.

Over the years, ECJ has been giving numerous scholarships not only for students but also teachers pursuing masteral studies through his foundation, in cooperation with La Salle and the Department of Education. Danding believes that sports is an important part of learning, and he is equally convinced that education is the best investment one can give because it is the only thing that one can never lose, or be stolen.

‘Vive la France!’ in Tagalog

Trust the French to give a pleasantly surprising twist to any celebration, just like what happened at Hotel Sofitel Manila last Thursday during the 222nd anniversary of the French Revolution. Formally called La Fete Nationale or the National Celebration, July 14 is also known as Bastille Day as it commemorates the storming of the Bastille in 1789.  

The festivities were livened up by singers, bands and a fashion show that undoubtedly showcased French joie devivre and how they dearly hold the ideals of liberté, égalité, fraternité. But the best part came from French Ambassador Thierry Borja de Mozota himself who delivered his speech in Tagalog with a nice French accent that thoroughly impressed all the guests and elicited hearty cheers especially when he capped it with “Mabuhay!” – complete with a French twist. 

Spy Bits rumor mill

– Sarangani Congressman Manny Pacquiao reportedly offered to buy membership shares at the Manila Golf and Country Club and the Manila Polo Club for P30 million and P8 million respectively, both of which were turned down. Some people are asking if this is a case of snobbery at work – with the offers’ “turn down” sounding more like a “put down.”

– It’s not true that Philippine Ambassador to the US Joey Cuisia – a La Salle alumni – came back just to watch the basketball game between the Green Archers and the Blue Eagles last Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum. Joey told us he is here to accompany some 400 US businessmen looking for business opportunities and investments in the country.

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