MBC split by resign calls

The current political crisis has caused a rift within the Makati Business Club (MBC), which called for the resignation of President Arroyo last Friday.

Some members of the organization are now criticizing MBC president Ricardo Romulo for issuing the statement reportedly without obtaining the consensus of all club members.

Allies of the President in the MBC assailed the group’s chairman and board of trustees yesterday for calling on the Chief Executive to resign.

In an open letter of protest, Mrs. Arroyo’s 35 business supporters said they were condemning in the "strongest possible terms" the July 8 issuance of a manifesto demanding Mrs. Arroyo’s resignation in behalf of the MBC and its members.

"To many of us, the manifesto’s message is a personal opinion or the sentiment of only a few within our organization," the statement said.

"We deplore the imposition of one man’s opinion on all of us because it can only result in misrepresenting us as a whole," it added.

The businessmen pointed out that a majority of them favor a constitutional process in effecting change and were disturbed by the failure of the MBC leadership to consult with members "before weighing in on a matter so crucial to the nation’s political and economic stability."

The group addressed their letter to MBC chairman Ricardo Romulo, who, along with MBC executive director Guillermo Luz, read the group’s manifesto calling for the President’s resignation.

Those who signed the letter of protest were Luis Miguel Aboitiz, Enrique Aboitiz Jr., Manuel Agustines, Editha Alcantara, Nicasio Alcantara, Tomas Alcantara, Jose Antonio, Tom Apacible, Benito Ramon Araneta, Carlos Araneta, Ramon Arnaiz, Eduardo Arroyo Jr., Benjamin Castillo, David Chua, Francis Chua and Ernest Cuyegkeng.

The others were Reynaldo David Jr., Priscilla Florentino, Dante Go, Antonio Huang, Andre Kahn, Rommel Leuterio, Arnold Liong, Fernando Martinez, Jose Mari Moraza, Vitaliano Nañagas III, Noel Oñate, Carlos Palanca III, Enrique Razon Jr., Benjamin Philip Romualdez, Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Jose Manuel Romualdez, Armando Samia, Henry Uy and Vivian Yuchengco.

"The MBC’s majority may be silent but it will neither allow individuals nor an unauthorized select group to misuse the good name of this organization. The MBC has painstakingly built its reputation through its members’ collective commitment, hard work and unity," the group stressed.

Meanwhile, the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Inc. (Amcham) yesterday urged Filipinos to resolve the current political crisis at the earliest possible time, warning that prolonged political instability would adversely affect the business environment.

In its first statement on the political crisis, the Amcham expressed regret over recent developments in Philippine politics.

"Political stability is an essential requisite for a strong business environment," the Amcham said, stressing that the crisis severely impacts on the ability of the current administration to govern effectively.

The Amcham remained firm, however, in its stand that the conflict must be resolved "within the rule of law and the Philippine Constitution." — With Marianne Go