‘Gypped’ Subic investor seeks Malacañang help

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — An American investor who sank some P20 million into a state-of-the-art Internet center inside this former American naval base has lost his venture, all because of what he termed as "corporate hustle" allegedly perpetrated by some officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Subic International Hotel Corp. (SIHC).

Robert Keiser, 65, has sought the help of President Arroyo, and said he was leaving his fate to her.

In a letter he sent to the President earlier this month, Keiser said, "I am appealing to the government of the Philippines for help in resolving the damage done (us)."

Keiser and his Filipina wife, Mitzi, opened the RFK Internet Center inside the Subic Freeport in March 2000. It was the biggest Internet Café in the country, with over 90 computers.

However, after only eight months of operation, the Keisers were forced to close down their business after their properties were attached and their bank accounts garnished by the court after the Subic International Hotel Corp. (SIHC) complained that the RFK Internet Center did not remit the full payment for the rents.

The signed contract, however, stipulated that 50 percent of the monthly rent should be remitted directly to the SBMA since the SIHC owed the SBMA several million pesos in lease arrears.

Lawyers of SIHC refuted Keiser’s allegations.

SIHC legal counsel lawyer Manuel Quijano said in his report to SIHC General Manager Michael Wilson that Mitzi and husband, Robert are set to be arraigned on Oct. 10 before the sala of Judge Reynaldo Laigo of Branch 3 of the Municipal Trial Court in Olongapo City on five pending criminal charges for violation of BP 22 or issuance of bouncing checks and breach of contract for alleged non-payment of monthly rentals.

SIHC executives said that Keiser is now engaged in "forum shopping" and even resorted to use the media to stir confusion and worse influence the decision of the court.