Manila Golf to be bought by Ayala Land?

Rumors continue to fly that Ayala Land Inc. is contemplating the idea of purchasing Manila Golf and Country Club lock, stock and barrel to give Ayala more leverage in its plans to develop the adjacent Bonifacio Global City. Even without the territorial dispute involving Taguig and Makati, traffic along McKinley is already very tight – and according to sources privy to backroom talks, the giant developer is planning to transfer the 43-hectare 18-hole golf course to its FTI (Food Terminal Inc.) property located in South Superhighway in Taguig.

ALI acquired 74 hectares of the sprawling 120-hectare FTI for close to P24 billion late last year, with plans to develop the area into a bustling commercial district. FTI’s (or Arca South as Ayala refers to it) proximity to NAIA, the South Luzon Expressway as well as C5 and C6 roads makes it an ideal transit point to many areas especially the south. Ayala has been selling commercial lots of Arca South, raising P4.1 billion in revenues for the first quarter – with values reportedly increasing by over 300 percent. Ayala had also disclosed plans to keep 50 hectares for mixed-use development with commercial, residential and even hotel components.

Manila Golf members, especially the 70-plus senior members, are not too keen on the idea of transferring the upscale club because its current location is very convenient to many who reside in the nearby exclusive gated villages like Dasmariñas and Forbes.

Several members, however, are seeing the Ayala purchase as a “win-win” situation especially if one considers the still dreadful traffic situation in McKinley and Bonifacio Global City. With Makati share prices almost hitting the roof, the estimated value for the 43-hectare Manila Golf could be placed at P51.6 billion (at a conservative P120,000 per square meter), making each of the 573 members’ share worth P90.05 million each – which makes it a good deal for both sides, one of the members calculated. 

Manila Golf: No to Pacquiao, yes to Napoles?

Still on Manila Golf, one of the members has been grumbling, saying it is very ironic to hear that alleged pork barrel scam queen Janet Lim Napoles is a member while the application of global boxing icon Manny Pacquiao was turned down. According to whistleblower Benhur Luy, Napoles has 50 properties both here and abroad that include units in upscale condominiums as well as shares in premier clubs like Manila Golf and Country Club (MGC) and Manila Polo Club (MPC).

If one could recall, reports came out last year that Pacquiao was “blackballed” by both the MPC and MGC – despite being one of the top 100 richest celebrities in the list of Forbes magazine. Pacquiao also bought a mansion worth P388 million in Forbes but apparently, this was not enough for the snooty members to give their thumbs up to the boxing champ-turned-congressman.

Spy Bits informants said agents of the Bureau of Internal Revenue are now checking into the alleged properties of Janet Napoles including her supposed membership in MPC and MGC. Club members however are wondering why they have never seen Napoles or her husband Jaime – who was reportedly accepted as a member a couple of years ago – visit the club premises at all. No one has also come forward to talk about the issue and confirm if indeed the Napoles couple has shares at Manila Golf.

Fear at the Fort

Police are looking into reports a group of men has been stalking unaccompanied young women frequenting the establishments at Fort Bonifacio Global City, with stories going around that two females were harassed several days ago. The stories have triggered fears that a gang engaged in kidnapping/carnapping with intent to rape could be operating within the area.

News that the missing 25-year-old advertising account manager Kristelle Davantes has been found dead in Silang, Cavite last Saturday has heightened fears at The Fort, with reports that Davantes was seen having drinks at a bar in Fort Bonifacio Global City last Friday evening before leaving presumably for home.

Kristelle happens to work for McCann Worldgroup, which has an office located at Fort Bonifacio. The slain account manager’s colleagues say it’s not unusual for advertising people to have a few drinks after work on Fridays. Eyewitness accounts also claim they saw Davantes at around 1 a.m. last Saturday driving her vehicle, a Toyota Altis, which is still missing.

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