BP as in Binay-Pangilinan or Bagong Pilipinas

Although PLDT Chairman Manny V Pangilinan already said "no" for a run in public office, the thought of him making it and winning a vice presidential post is such a juicy idea.

For one, Pangilinan has all the goods--he is a very wise businessman, a strategist, and knows how to delegate and delegate he will some responsibilities to some of the best minds in the industry. Pangilinan has a keen sense of timing and knows what is best and what is not.

Of course, some people find this tandem an equally "juicy target", as what Congressman Walden Bello of Akbayan thinks. Akbayan is a formidable ally of the Liberal Party and I'm sure such a tandem would definitely lay waste all efforts at making their bet, Mar Roxas, ascend the top spot.

There are even allegations that the reason why Malacanan wants nothing more than get those billions of Malampaya funds through a declaration of emergency powers is for it to shore enough funds to equal what Binay and Pangilinan would spend if such a tandem do indeed run in 2016.

That also explains why traffic is such a huge problem now because the very chief of the DOTC---Emilio Joseph Abaya is so busy campaigning for his bet Mar Roxas. Instead of finding solutions to the humonguous problem, Abaya is busy thinking of ways on how to make Roxas beautiful in the eyes of a tired citizenry.

Same goes to MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino who is now actively cleaning Roxas boulevard while everybody is all angry with that serious traffic along NLEX. Tolentino, sources say, is running for a senatorial post in 2016.

Manny Pangilinan's Dream--Be The Country's No. 1 Media Mogul

Manny Pangilinan is positioning himself as the penultimate media mogul of the Philippines. Pangilinan, according to news sources, has offered 52 billion pesos to the majority owners of GMA Channel 7. Pangilinan sees GMA 7 as the second acquisition of a media entity in just three years. Should he finally buy the country's second biggest TV network, Pangilinan will become the country's no. 1 media mogul. 


Pangilinan has a ten percent stake at the Philippine Daily Inquirer and an unknown number of shares in Philippine Star. Basically, Pangilinan owns more than sixty five percent of the local media environment. With the acquisition of GMA, this will increase to seventy five percent. 


Seems like the convergence dream of Pangilinan is taking concrete shape. He will dominate the platforms, and hope to also dominate the content realm. Pangilinan should recognize that what sells are not platforms but content. People talk about content. It is content that sells.


In an era where platforms are being created independently of business interests, where the Internet is slowly being mined for newer applications that lead to consumers' empowerment, there will come a time where dominance in the traditional platforms would just be treated as a mere company acquisition than anything else. Surely, public opinions are slowly being shaped by information coming from newer, cheaper and even cost-free channels. 


Competition in the media sphere will eventually be dictated by consumers and users themselves. Fact is, right now, consumers and users of content are dictating the pace of the media revolution, and singular dominance will eventually be frowned upon even of consumers of traditional media. 


With free information now slowly permeating the farthest corners of the media realm, the possibility of a "dictatorship" of a few thru platform dominance is going faster South than North. The shift is inevitable, as platforms become more and more cheaper and user-friendly. Attempts at creating a singular platform of views and opinions will not anymore be possible in the traditional-sense; rather, the creation of a collective view will naturally spring from the cacophony of voices expressed online than thru the boob tube or paper. This is the liberation of the consumer from the commercialized content seen thru traditional media. 

Corona Impeachment: The Guingona Proposition

Senator Teofisto Guingona III made a startling proposition--offer the Chief Justice to resign and offer Justice Antonio Carpio to serve the remainder of his term. Guingona probably  meant well when he offered this. However, as a friend, I must say that it leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.


Everyone knows that TG is close to the powers-that-be, especially the President. TG is a close friend of the President, actually, a batch 1981 of the Ateneo where the President belongs. By trying to broker this deal, TG is trying to represent not the people, but the Interests working inside Bahay Pangarap.


TG's proposal, under normal circumstances, would have worked. The reason why I say that it leaves a bad taste in the mouth is because it exposes the real reason behind efforts to oust the Chief Justice.


It just proves that President Aquino and those powers that influence him are pushing for Justice Carpio as a replacement of Corona.


For all Filipinos present and who are reading this piece---Carpio is no different than Corona. Fact is, Carpio is worse than Corona.


Carpio intends to become Chief Justice because he wants his law firm to dominate the judiciary. He wants the "Firm" to be the compania inter pares of this country. 


Carpio is close to the Cojuangcos. If the plan succeeds, Carpio is expected not just to be the rubber stamp of the palace--he is expected to be the senior puppy of Noynoy. By revealing Malacanang's dark plan, Guingona unwittingly alienated the palace from the People.


Hence, Malacanang is really not after cleansing the judiciary of scalawags in robes. Malacanang is never interested in really stamping out graft and corruption in the massive bureaucracy, oh no.


Malacanang is pushing for its political agenda, plain and simple. This agenda is connected with Big Business. For decades, Big Business has put its money on politics just to get those juicy jewels built by the former Marcos administration to ensure that basic services are within the people's reach.


Look what happened shortly after the Marcos administration---every single industry of this country was sold to the highest bidder, regardless of who they are, or what are their real intentions of buying government utilities.


And because BIg Business money is now entangled or tied with the political future of this government, it is in the best interest of those who "invested" their money in government to secure an administration that is most favorable to them and would not harm their interests or stake. 


IMagine if say, PLDT man Manny Pangilinan encounters an adversarial government. What would happen to the billions of dollars he invested in several firms?


What if, say, this government changes, and becomes anti-business, what will happen to those properties of the government illegally acquired by friends of the former dispensations?


IN these cases, the final arbiter, according to the Constitution, is the Supreme Court. It is the last sanctuary of the people's true sovereign power. If this institution is corrupted, and individuals put in there not because of their erudition but because of their closeness and dogged adherence to the whims and caprices of Taipans and Mestizo hacienderos and conos, what happens is the continued en-slavery of the people to Big Business. 


Carpio would not be the last man standing to defend the people's interests from the continuing encroachment of Big Business, oh no. Fact is, Carpio will spearhead the complete offering of government to the altar of Big Business.

Willie Revillame to be charged for violation of RA 7610: Exploiting Jan-Jan

For Willie Revillame, host of the primetime evening show, Willing Willie, exploiting the weaknesses of people is ENTERTAINMENT. 


For Revillame, host of the primetime evening show, Willing Willie, being financed by PLDT's Manny Pangilinan and Viva Entertainment, exploiting old people, children and women is ENTERTAINMENT.


I am not surprised that another 6 year old child was exploited by the same man whom his former partner accused of wife beating. see link


I am not at all surprised that this same man caused the deaths of some people in that classic stampede at the ULTRA.


I am not at all surprised to see every single night, poor people flocking to his show for goodies in exchange for humiliating them in public. Our poor folks, sorry to say, are accustomed to being humiliated by the rich. They don't have any option. Rather than be hungry, they will do everything possible,just to win 1,000 or 10,000. 


What I am surprised about is that this man is being supported by big businessmen, like Manny Pangilinan and Manny Villar. These people are supposed to be the shakers and movers of this Nation. These men are supposed to be of high integrity.


Do these businessmen realize that their names are also being dragged as protectors of Mr. Revillame, every single time this man gets caught with a misdemeanor or a crime?


Both Villar and Pangilinan are known for their "rags-to-riches" stories. Why are they allowing Willie to exploit the very class which they claimed to have belonged in the past?


Villar is a member of the committee in the Senate on women and children. Will he file a case against Revillame, for child exploitation? This is clearly a case not of entertainment, but of a violation of the law,  Article V, Section 9 of Republic Act No. 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act:

“Obscene Publications and Indecent Shows. – Any person who shall hire, employ, use, persuade, induce or coerce a child to perform in obscene exhibitions and indecent shows, whether live or in video, or model in obscene publications or pornographic materials or to sell or distribute the said materials shall suffer the penalty of prison mayor in its medium period.  If the child used as a performer, subject or seller/distributor is below twelve (12) years of age, the penalty shall be imposed in its maximum period. Any ascendant, guardian, or person entrusted in any capacity with the care of a child who shall cause and/or allow such child to be employed or to participate in an obscene play, scene, act, movie or show or in any other acts covered by this section shall suffer the penalty of prison mayor in its medium period.”

Imagine, how crass and how inhumane Willie Revillame was, when he coerced this boy, all of six years old, to dance before a crowd lusty for cheap tricks and cheap thrills.


Probably, Willie experienced the same humiliation when he was a kid. Probably a group of school thugs forced Willie to dance before them, while they throw rotten tomatoes at him. That explains why Willie's face is all cratered. 


I will not be surprised if Willie will, again, escape the fangs of the law. The law here in this country recognizes only one thing, and that is money. Fact is, the laws here do not have fangs.


This person who was once charged with wife molestation, who was repeatedly sanctioned by MTRCB for his dirty jokes and toilet-humour, who nearly escaped imprisonment for causing the injury and deaths of several people and now, like a sad joker, exploiting a weak child. 


Don't tell me that Jan-Jan is a professional artist willing to do what Willie did to him. 


Will Senator Pia Cayetano file a resolution to investigate this matter, or will she just let this incident go unnoticed? 


I found this complaint to be filed against Willie and I support this 100%

Hon. Loretta Ann P. Rosales, Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights

Sen. Pia S. Cayetano, Committee Chair, Youth, Women and Family Affairs

Hon. Corazon "Dinky" Juliano-Soliman, Secretary, Department of Social Welfare and Development

Hon. Grace Poe Llamanzares, Chairman, Movies and Television Ratings and Classification Board

Mr. Manny Pangilinan, Chairman, TV5

Justice Santiago M. Kapunan, Officer in Charge, Integrated Bar of The Philippines

Mr. John Rojo, President, Philippine Association of National Advertisers

Ms. Charmaine Canillas, Chairman, Ad Standards Council

Ateneo Human Rights Center

Council for the Welfare of Children

SUBJECT:             CHILD ABUSE ON WILLING WILLIE SHOW OF TV5

We wish to bring to your attention a deplorable incident that occurred during the March 12, 2011 episode of Willing Willie, hosted by Mr. Willie Revillame which was aired during TV5's primetime block. In the said episode, also posted on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YRCxh9q64w, a six-year-old boy named Jan-jan was shown dancing “ala-macho dancer," much to the delight of the host and the studio audience. As seen in the video, however, the boy was clearly distressed and humiliated by the said experience as evidenced by his crying while supposedly “entertaining” Mr. Revillame and his audience.

Children should be at school studying or playing at home. They should not be used as cheap sources of entertainment. The act of making children work is already unfortunate; however, the said act is even more deplorablewhen they lose their dignity and self respect in the process.

If TV shows that employ child actors are required to secure the necessary permits from the DSWD, are reality shows like Willing Willie required to do the same? Are representatives from the DSWD present to monitor these activities, especially for shows that air live?

We quote Article V, Section 9 of Republic Act No. 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act:

“Obscene Publications and Indecent Shows. – Any person who shall hire, employ, use, persuade, induce or coerce a child to perform in obscene exhibitions and indecent shows, whether live or in video, or model in obscene publications or pornographic materials or to sell or distribute the said materials shall suffer the penalty of prison mayor in its medium period. 

If the child used as a performer, subject or seller/distributor is below twelve (12) years of age, the penalty shall be imposed in its maximum period.

Any ascendant, guardian, or person entrusted in any capacity with the care of a child who shall cause and/or allow such child to be employed or to participate in an obscene play, scene, act, movie or show or in any other acts covered by this section shall suffer the penalty of prison mayor in its medium period.”

Clearly, what transpired during this episode of Willing Willie was a violation of this provision of the law.

We condemn the blatant act of subjecting poor Filipinos -- especially minors, a group that history has shown to be one of the most vulnerable sectors of our society -- to humiliation in shows like these in exchange for some quick cash. Given the financial hardships that they have to endure, they often feel forced to do acts that violate their dignity as human beings in exchange for keeping body and soul together.

We condemn the host, not only for failing to stop the boy, who was clearly uncomfortable with what he had to do, but more importantly for milking similar situations for the sake of selling the show and increasing its ratings.

We condemn the producers of the show and the management of TV5 not only for failing to act appropriately on this incident, but also for tolerating these kinds of shows, as well as the host's tasteless and humiliating antics.

We express disappointment towards the parents of the boy for subjecting their child to this horrible experience.

We express concern for the studio audience and others at home who found this incident amusing and entertaining.

We express disappointment towards all the advertisers of the show for failing to consider the content and the values of the shows in which they advertise.

We challenge our government agencies, particularly the DSWD and the MTRCB, to act promptly on this and other similar incidents, and to institute measures to protect young children when they appear on Willing Willie and similar shows.

In this regard, we would like to request the following actions from your office:

1. For Mr. Manny Pangilinan and the management of TV5 to immediately implement a temporary moratorium on the guesting of children on Willing Willie and similar shows;

1. For Mr. Willie Revillame and the producers of the show to issue a public apology to Jan-jan and all their other guests whom they have humiliated in the past, and to promise never to commit the same acts in their future episodes;

1. For the MTRCB to conduct an investigation and  review of the said episode to determine the violations made by the host and the producers of the show of the standards and regulations set by law and the Board, and impose corresponding penalties on those found guilty;

1. For the DSWD and the CHR to conduct an investigation into the said incident to determine the violations of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act and Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004,  committed by the host, the producers and the management of TV5,  and initiate legal action against those who will be found responsible;

1. For the DSWD and the MTRCB, in partnership with the TV networks in the country, to formulate regulations that will cover the appearance of children on game shows and other reality-TV themed shows, especially those that are aired live;

1. For the Committee on Youth, Women and Family Affairs of the Senate to conduct an investigation, in aid of legislation, to institute amendments to Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act and Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 to protect children from similar violations;

1. For the DSWD to provide counselling to Janjan and to all other children who participated on the show in the past for possible trauma and other physiological distress, as well as to their parents who consider subjecting their children to such experience as acceptable;

1. For the Integrated Bar of the Philippines to provide legal support to the victims of these abuses who may want to pursue legal action against those who will be found responsible by the relevant government agencies; and

1. For the Philippine Association of National Advertisers and AdBoard to forward this complaint to all their members, especially those who advertise on Willing Willie, and to request their members to temporarily cease placing ads on the show until the host, the producer and the management have complied with this request and instituted reforms to avoid a repeat of this incident in the future. Otherwise, we will be constrained to start a call to boycott the products of those who will refuse to heed this request.

We are expecting a prompt reply and action on your part. We will be continuously monitoring this issue and will continue to gather support from the general public through a Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Para-kay-Jan-jan-Shame-on-you-Willie-Revillame/102087546543288) we have started, as well as the mainstream media.

Signed:

Government should not allow Meralco to raise electricity rates--no more!!!

Meralco planning another plot
to get money from Filipino Consumers

Sparrows should look into the plan of Meralco to raise their electricity rates this month.

After reporting a stellar year of profits, the utility company now wants to get more from us by raising their rates. Meralco has reported a consolidated core income of 5.8 billion. Fact is, Meralco reported a 169% jump in net income in 2009 and is targetting another 3% growth by the end of 2010.

Meralco's energy sales has even jumped to 14% in the first quarter of 2010 alone. And it attributes its sales jump to the increased prices in the WESM. Meaning, the WESM is actually giving Meralco astronomical income jump. The Commission on Audit (COA) even said that it is not justified for Meralco to increase its rates since it already collected more than 6 billion pesos from its customers.

What Meralco wants is for its consumers to finance even its personnel salaries which is now at 2 billion. What? Why will the consumers bear the cost of Meralco's executives and workers?

Meralco is not losing money. Fact is, it expects a further increase in income due to the rise of demand from the industrial sector (18.8%) and following, the residential sector (16.3%). Meralco even reported a very good income statement to the Philippine Stock Exchange. see link.

Let me give you why it is not justified for Meralco to increase its rates. Since its profits grew more than 12%, which is the allowed limit for Meralco in terms of profit, it is not justified for it to even salivate for another price increase. See a very interesting discussion here.

Even if Meralco is buying a higher rate from the WESM, it is still not justified for it to increase its rates since its profits have soared to the multi-billions since 2007, according to the COA report.

Meralco admits that NAPOCOR has sold power to them in a lower rate than before, but because of the rise of power rates in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, Meralco, as they say, has no choice but to raise electricity rates by 44 centavos.

The Energy department should abolish this WESM and instead, control the market. It can do so under its police powers and driven by public interest.

Instead of just providing government with an explanation, the Energy secretary Jose Almendras should ask WESM to justify why government should even allow its extended existence. The existence of WESM is beginning to harm the country and acting against the welfare of the People.

This is too much already. Meralco should even be divested of its franchise to operate a utility firm. Meralco is raking so much profits from us and they had the gall to tell us that they are raising electricity rates.

We already have the highest electricity rates in the region. Another electricity hike would affect businesses, not just households.

Government should look into this because this might be a clear case of sabotage. Remember that Meralco is now controlled by Pangilinan, who looks towards his Malaysian bosses more than he looks downward, to us, his fellow Filipinos.

How will we be able to recover from the economic slump with a very high electricity rate? How will we be able to transform this country into a viable investment site if prices here are higher than our neighbours in the region?

The Malaysian investors behind Pangilinan's "successful" takeover of Meralco are probably dictating this to their Filipino counterpart. They want our country to remain uncompetitive. It is probably time for Filipinos to regain Meralco from the clutches of foreign interference.

People should militate against Meralco if they push thru with their plan to raise electricity rates this month.

If the Aquino administration refuses to interfere with this issue or is helpless, then, I urge every Filipino to militate against Meralco by turning their lights off on August 30.

Let us express our collective disgusts against Meralco and to Manny Pangilinan, who is posturing as someone who cares for us, his fellow Filipinos, but continues to follow the dictates of his Malaysian overlords in Kuala Lumpur.

Meralco and PLDT: Marriage of Convenience?

There'll be no fireworks today. The Lopez group will continue to head Meralco. And sources say, that's courtesy of Manny Pangilinan, the top PLDT honcho. He entered the scene, reportedly as a "white knight" to save the diminishing hold of the Lopezes and prevent it from falling into the hands of San Miguel, led by Ramon Ang.

Meralco, undoubtedly, is a critical industry, a prized possession so to speak, for those who want to control the entire economy. It's just a power distribution utility, yet, it commands great power. It holds the key to our boom-bust economy, and failure to supply, means billions lost, or billions gained.

Why the Lopezes hate the guts of the San Miguel group is an enigma. Maybe because of Cojuangco's past. Why are they willing to serve Meralco on a silver platter for a local representative of a foreigner is beyond me. Is the Lopezes more than willing to serve a foreign master than let a local success continue the legacy of the firm? Pangilinan is the local representative of Salim of Indonesia and by entering Meralco, Salim has a majority stake in another country's power distribution utility. Government should have been more sensitive in the sense that power should have been viewed as one of the most critical and security-sensitive infrastructure that, control should be delimited to local control, instead of allowing this situation where the most critical sector has now been controlled, indirectly, by a foreign business entity.

But, as they say, business here is personal. And the Lopezes hate both Cojuangco (due to his Marcosian past) and Mrs. Arroyo (because she released her attack dog, GSIS President Winston Garcia who failed because of public pressure).

Now, I fully understand why GSIS wants Meralco.

On the reverse side, it's actually beneficial that a more effective management group heads Meralco. Meralco has had its fair share of financial hemorrhages and best to leave this with those who know how to crunch numbers rather than those who just know how to count profits.

Businessmen expect the PLDT takeover to lower electricity rates, which, I think, is not going as planned. Electricity prices here are more expensive than other Asian countries. And rates continue going up.

It remains to be seen how PLDT will fare now that they are the majority. Will Pangilinan, the "white knight" save the Filipinos from further price hikes. Or, will Big Capital with the "BIG PROFITS" in bold letters continue to be the rule instead of the exemption, being public welfare as paramount? Let's see in the next few months.

Vice President Noli de Castro's Coup

Tony Gatmaitan's prognostinations on the 2010 elections is fraught with errors. He says that in a multi-party scenario, the probable winner would be an administration bet. Yes, if the administration party successfully coalesce with LAKAS-CMD and field one candidate. But, what if someone spoils the broth and runs a parallel campaign outside the ambit of LAKAS-KAMPI CMD influence? What will be the effects of such a scenario?

There's a lot of buzz on the possible run for the presidency of Vice President Noli de Castro. De Castro has been topping the surveys despite the absence of infomercials or PR campaigns.

Recently, he topped the SWS and Pulse Asia surveys. There’s a palpable and stable mass base support for De Castro. With rumours of PLDT honcho Manny Pangilinan’s support behind him, De Castro is gaining more traction and more businessmen are re-thinking their options as to who to support in 2010.

If De Castro indeed decides to run and launches a separate, yet parallel, campaign organization outside LAKAS-KAMPI CMD, this will be a repeat of the administration debacle in 1998, and will eventually lead to a win coming from the counter-elite ranks.

In 1998, Vice President Joseph Estrada won 40% majority votes over the administration bet Joe de Venecia. Two things that Erap has under his disposal then---enormous government resources using his office and businessman support. Of course, there was this perceived “Erap magic”, a PR creation, which was useful only to the extent of justifying the win.

Analysts were quick to point out that it was not magic that caused Erap to snatch the presidency from the incumbent—it was a fractured administration party. Remember that De Venecia ran an election paralleled with that of former Defense secretary Renato de Villa’s. Ramos reportedly supported both campaigns, thinking that the more bets to field against Estrada, the more likely an administration bet to win. Their analysis faltered because despite fielding dummy bets (Manoling Morato, etc.), Estrada still won because of his powerful grassroots organization.

Aside from De Venecia and De Villa eating up the administration support bases, Estrada also ate up in their bases as well, because he was the Vice President at that time. Estrada used the V-P office to smash the grassroots support of the administration. If Estrada ran for the presidency without government resources at his disposal, he could have lost the presidency and allowed either De Venecia or De Villa to get it.

Now, Vice President Noli de Castro enjoys being in the same situation as that of Erap’s. He has many supporters occupying sensitive government posts. He has his own army of local executives who support him. And now, he even has support from the biggest telecommunications firm in the country.

If talks fail between De Castro’s group and those of LAKAS-KAMPI CMD, and De Castro decides to do it on his own, his campaign will surely affect the chances of the administration. De Castro will surely eat up the constituencies of LAKAS-KAMPI CMD. He’ll be the strongest bet but will eventually lose to an opposition bet. Why?

De Castro has the same constituency as that of Teodoro’s and Richard Gordon’s. His support base is bigger than Teodoro’s and Gordon’s constituencies combined. Gordon registers a dismal 1% trust rating while Teodoro’s is still being determined; but most likely, he’ll get at least 5% of the votes. Compare that with De Castro’s who consistently registers between 19 to 22% trust and confidence ratings.

Hence, it is critical for the administration to field De Castro rather than risk losing the elections behind a Teodoro or Gordon campaign. If De Castro becomes the administration bet, then, it’s a lost game for the opposition. A De Castro-Teodoro tandem is a strong contender against any tandem of the opposition and pseudo opposition. It stands to get at least 30-35% of the votes.

Should LAKAS-KAMPI CMD fail to get De Castro, and De Castro aligns with the Nacionalista, with Villar sliding to the vice-presidency, the only option for the administration is support De Castro through the backdoor and convince Teodoro and Gordon to just run for senate posts. For if they decide to field a Teodoro-Gordon tandem, they’ll repeat the grievous mistake they did in 1998. A Teodoro campaign will fold up under the strength of a De Castro-Villar campaign. While a De Castro-Villar tandem would surely crumble since it most likely get a measly 25 to 30% of the votes.

Of course, Villar’s expected slide to the vice presidency will not benefit De Castro. Villar does not have a loyal mass following compared with Erap. His endorsement of De Castro will not improve De Castro’s 22% chance of getting top billing. De Castro will have to contend with a Mar Roxas with a possible 25-30% chances of winning, should Villar slides to the second highest post and Ping Lacson runs as his tandem.

Now, it is also highly likely that an Escudero-Legarda or vice versa tandem would benefit more from this scenario than Mar's, if Mar's group would be able to prevent it.

Meralco is safe...for now.

The obvious question everybody is asking now is--until when will PLDT's Manny Pangilinan be able to fend off San Miguel's ambitious yet dastardly plan for Meralco? PLDT got a tiny advantage with 30% compared with 27% now currently held by SMC.

Talks abound that SMC has marshalled its allies and they're buying into Meralco. With the Lopezes finding an ally in the person of Pangilinan, Meralco is safe....for now.

Why is it so crucial for SMC to acquire Meralco? Aside from the obvious, Meralco is a key component in SMC's strategic monopoly plan. With its entry into the telecomms business and energy sector, Meralco actually completes the SMC plan of finally dominating Philippine business. Ang's idea of providing cheaper broadband services through electric powerlines jibes with PLDT's. Meralco is crucial because if SMC acquires it, PLDT's gargantuan domination in the telecomms business is threatened.

With PLDT's entry into Lopez territory, it now grew its share in the telecomms business with a possible acquisition also of Bayantel. Bayantel is a Lopez owned company which has successfully eaten up PLDT's market in the wireless landline services and even in broadband. With the Pangilinan-Lopez alliance, PLDT would be able to whittle Bayantel down to miniscule size in no time.

Or, quite possibly, Bayantel will be positioned to assist PLDT in thwarting the plans of SMC to dominate the telecomms sector with its new Qatar-Liberty Telecommunications. PLDT needs all the help it could marshall against this big competitor.

Yet, the question now is this---where's the Ayalas in all of these? Ayala controls Globe and its also into energy, which is another sector that SMC already dipped its hands on. Ayala and the Lopezes were beneficiaries of EDSA; while the Cojuangcos, well, they just were able to resurrect themselves after staying too long with the Marcoses.

The Ayalas are known allies of Pangilinan and indirectly, the Lopezes. Will it remain in the sidelines like what the Chinoy taipans are doing? Or will they also engage SMC in a battle by aligning themselves with the Pangilinan-Lopez? Such titanic battles, as history shows, always spill over to change the political configurations.

Will this battle stay in the boardrooms or will we see it spillover into the political arena as well? Remember that prior to EDSA dos, the same situation was present.

Analysis of the Political Situation: The Businessmen

The influential Makati Business Club (MBC) already announced that they are also taking part in the December 12 interfaith rally. MBC spokesman Bertie Lim said that businessmen are sick and tired of what's happening and they'll go "all out" come December 12. Of course, if it's the MBC already talking, then, by deduction, the big Ayala-Zobel group is already there. And you know how things turn when this group is already in the picture. We saw the Ayalas on stage when Gloria the Pretender was being sworn into office by former Chief Justice Hilarion Davide. Now, if the MBC is there, surely the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) will not be very far behind.

Now, we have'nt heard of the Philippine Chinese-Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCCI) which is being influenced by Chinese tycoon Lucio Tan. We all know where Tan stands politically. Tan is a close friend of this administration and there's no way for him to go to the other side. Likewise, the Concepcions, Yulos and garments tycoon Dee are known Arroyo allies. Even the Filipino-Chinese Business Club would dare not to oppose Arroyo. In fact, the very head of this Club revels of his enormous connection with the First Couple, being "allegedly" instrumental in ousting Estrada.

What about the Lopezes and Manny Pangilinan of PLDT? Obviously, some would say that the Lopezes would oppose Gloria and would probably take part, albeit, in the backroom. Yet, there are some insinuations that a deal was forged between Gabby Lopez and the first Couple in Hongkong. It involves the Lopez crown jewel, Meralco. Now, we are not privy to their talks and again, I don't want to speculate. But, there are deafening buzz about the Lopezes allegedly selling themselves out.

Pangilinan, meanwhile, is really not a political guy, but if push comes to shove, we may yet see him, again within the inner circle of the business powers in the likes of the Ayalas and the Cojuangcos. Oh, speaking about Danding Cojuangco. Danding's political machine, the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) has now merged with the Lakas faction of JDV-FVR and you know where that faction stands at this point. So, count Danding in.

Like in previous socio-political upheavals, the likes of SM's Henry Sy, Jollibee Group's Tankathiongs and others would just be fence-sitters. Having no big stake in government transactions, these groups are well entrenched already and it does'nt concern them if this government falls or not. Regardless of who heads this big syndicate called government, these tycoons would not dare rock the boat for fear of future reprisals. This, usually, is the attitude of Chinese businessmen in the Philippines. Politics, for them, is not within the business agenda.

Now, if you see, it seems that there's a stronger force against Gloria at this point. Eventhough Gloria has her Tan, Concepcion, Yulos and Dees, these will not be enough to counter the formidable business alliance ranged against her. Tan is actually a weak component in Gloria's corporate group. Tan is known to have a pragmatic approach to politics. If one or some of these businessmen see that the winds are changing and it's not going the way to Gloria, we may yet see a silent entourage of businessmen going to the other side and striking deals left and right with the Anti-Arroyo group.

When Taipans Speak

Guys,

When rational and non-political people such as PLDT head honcho Manny V. Pangilinan talks, everybody listens. Manny exudes an authoritative air, but not of the despicable kind. A natural-born leader, Manny's one of just a few Pinoys worth emulating.

In Ricky Carandang's interview of MVP, like other Filipinos, he wants to know the truth. He had his time to ponder and what he thinks should be considered, especially by Gloria.

This interview should be read before reading Randy David's article today published in the Inquirer. David said that there should be a resolution of this issue of seeking the truth. Whatever that is, it depends on the people.

For me, the search for truth has ended. This government has categorically said that they are not interested in giving the Filipino even an inch of space to know what the real truth is. The question that we now face is--what should we do about it? Will we just let this government rule us with impunity and without giving us any dignity? Or will we unite to show the world that we condemn such acts of corruption, indecency, impunity and inhumane-ness? God, as what David hopes, should bless us.

MVP: 'Let's find out what the truth is'

(Manuel V. Pangilinan, chairman of the board of PLDT, spoke recently with Ricky Carandang on the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) show, The Big Picture. Excerpts from the interview in Hong Kong, where Pangilinan, also known as “MVP”, is the managing director of the Hong Kong-based investment firm, First Pacific Co. Ltd.)

Ricky Carandang: Millions of Filipinos have left the country to work and live abroad. Their reasons may vary, but most of them dream of earning a decent living and providing a security for their future. Manny Pangilinan left the country in the 1970s to find a job in Hong Kong. Little did he expect that he would succeed beyond the wildest dreams of many overseas Filipinos. Pangilinan’s success may be uncommon, but it is a sign of what Filipinos can achieve abroad.

ON MVP SPENDING MORE TIME WITH FIRST PACIFIC

Q. Is Manny Pangilinan looking for a new challenge?

A. Well, I guess so. It's time we looked at new things. There are two main anchors to our business, mainly Indofood and PLDT. And now emerging is Metro Pacific, which is investments in medical care, in the water system. So we’d like to create a third or fourth leg, if you may, to First Pacific.

Q. Why is that? What’s driving you to look for something new? Indofood and PLDT are both doing well. You could, very well, just coast along.

A. Well, as they say, work expands to fill the time required. So, I’m not as much needed in PLDT as much as I was when I was CEO. [He remains PLDT chairman of the board.--Ed] So, in a way, it discharges my responsibility as well as the CEO of First Pacific. The mandate has been to grow the businesses on a regional basis so I still have to fulfill that mandate.

Q. And this is where you’re going now.

A. That’s correct.

ON HIS BEING THE ‘ULTIMATE OFW’

Q. You started here in Hong Kong, some people could say, and I’ve referred to you once or twice as the ultimate OFW. You came here seeking a job and I don’t know if you even imagined being here and doing what you’re doing.

A. No. I mean, I think for me to pretend that I knew what I was going to do when I left the shores of Manila way back in 1976, Feb. 28 to be precise, with four suits and two pairs of shoes. At that time, I had no idea really where I would be headed. I knew I was going to be an executive director of Bancom International at that time, and thereafter, just progressed towards the founding of First Pacific in 1981. And we started as a banking and trading group, and now, we’re quite different from where we were 26, 27 years ago.

Q. Did you come out here thinking, you know, 'I wanna make a little bit more money, I wanna have a nice stable job. I wanna have decent growth prospects.' Or were you a little more ambitious than that at the beginning?

A. No, no. Well, I came over, well, partly to make money, as most OCWs must be motivated as well. And I had a time horizon equally. Like, I guess, most, if not all OCWs, after spending 5 years or so, I would go back to Manila and you know, that’s really your home. I had certain specific goals in mind both from a wealth perspective and a time perspective. But I spent 22 complete years in Hong Kong, so it just got into you.

Q. When did it change? When did you say, ‘Hey, maybe I don’t mind spending a significant portion of my time here’?

A. Well, age had a factor to it. Certainly, as you grow old, your desire to go back to Manila increases. And at the same time, we made our investment in PLDT in 1998, and that was a significant investment. So I felt duty-bound to manage what I decided upon to invest into. And that was the beginning of a return back to Manila .

Q. But at that point, when you were thinking of acquiring PLDT, I suppose your ambitions got a little larger as well. It’s no longer having a nice comfortable life, it was more of buying this company and making it grow, and buying this company and making it the dominant force. The ambitions, I guess, get grander as you move higher up.

A. I guess so. Although when I went into PLDT in 1998, it was really an extreme focus on the job at hand. And to a degree, my time and attention with First Pacific suffered. There were give-ups in that sense. Now that I’ve relinquished my post there and now spend more time here, I could look at precisely what you’re saying: Look at grander things for First Pacific, and even for PLDT.

ON THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN RP

A. It’s in many, many respects, especially if you sit back and look at the situation in the Philippines from an offshore perspective, like here in Hong Kong, it is sad. A number of people here have commented that these are self-inflicted wounds by you guys out there. In many respects, that’s true.

A number of analyses have been proffered with respect to what the situation is. And they’ve been very, very interesting. Like the analysis of Mrs. [Winnie] Monsod and Chief Justice [Art] Panganiban, their columns and a few other columnists have tried to render a very objective and sober analysis of the situation and what are the options for the country.

And yet, when we watched, was it two Fridays ago [February 29], the rally in Makati? And from our building, from the 10th floor, you’re watching the people stream to Ayala Avenue. And most of the…at least from that stream, on our part of Makati, most of the rallyists were students. And you might intellectualize about the options available to the President or the country, but when you see these young kids out there in the streets, you can’t help feel but emotionally involved with the young people. And you ask yourself: Why do they have to march to the streets? They should be out there in the schools being, sort of being more productive as students. So in a way, the older generation is burdening the younger generation with something they shouldn’t be burdened with. I’d rather we solved the problems as the older folks. Because the kids will have their own problems in their generation.

Q. You mentioned students on the streets. That’s not something we’ve seen in recent years. What does students on the streets tell you?

A. Again, I can’t speak for them. Clearly, there is unhappiness there of what the situation is gonna be. But it looks to me that my reading is, their main concern would be: What is the truth? And obviously, they deserve to know what the truth is.

Q. What do you make of that? People used to complain all the time that students don’t care, they don’t give a damn, they’re not going to go on the streets. The religious largely sought to stay away from affairs like this. The business community, I think you have friends who have been in rallies. I’ve heard you’ve been to some yourself. People who normally don’t get involved are now going on the streets. Do you think that’s a sign that something is a little different this time around? Or do you think is just no big deal?

A. Well, I think it is a sign that the people would want something explained. As I said, it’s good to know what the truth is. My impression, that’s the major, major issue. And it has taken a grip of what…well, I think of a number of important sectors of our society. I think business wants to know the truth. I think the church does, and certainly, the studentry want to know the truth as well.

Q. Do you?

A. Of course, yes.

ON HIS PRESENCE AT AN ANTI-ARROYO RALLY

Q. Enough to go on the streets? The reason I asked that is because I do remember that when Pres. Aquino recently spoke before the business community, you were there. And it was there where she called on Pres. Arroyo to step down again. You were there, and I understand you were seen at a rally.

A. Well, I’m not trying to be an apologist or apologetic about my appearance there. The occasion where Pres. Aquino spoke was…what they call… it was the second anniversary of the Pinoy ME (Micro Enterprise) Foundation which is really a….it’s an institution set up at the behest of Pres. Aquino to help raise funds principally for microfinance institutions or MFIs. And this had been organized a number of months ago, so I was supposed to be one of the two main speakers. Sonny Vistan was there. I’ve been asked to render a report on the activities of the foundation and I consented to it. Secondly, the PLDT SMART Foundation is the biggest donor to Pinoy ME, and it’s frankly uncolored by political considerations. And Pinoy ME Foundation needed an initial anchor lender-creditor to get the process started. And we arranged, together with certain trustees of Philippine Business for Social Progress, to have a credit facility extended by PBSP to Pinoy ME Foundation. And that was P250 million. We donated, as PLDT SMART Foundation, P5 million.

Q. So you were there for that?

A. I was there principally for that. Although I know, I’m not naïve enough to know that in that gathering, there is the likelihood of political statements being made. So but….so be it. If that were to happen, that would happen. If that were not to happen, it wouldn’t happen.

Q. So you were really at the rally or was that just talk?

A. Well, yes and no. I was at the NGO building which is the building right behind the Cojuangco Bldg. which is right on Makati Avenue. And I had to drop by the e-PLDT, in an office in Locsin [St.], which is on the corner of Ayala and Makati. So from there, also, I was curious. I wanted to….magmimiron, susulyap ka doon muna. So when I got out of Locsin, well, I went to the corner of Ayala and Makati and your cameras caught me. Ooops. Ooops, but so be it. I wasn’t part of the rally but I was there, watching what’s going on.

Q. You said at some point, people have to take a stand, and you can’t sit on the fence forever. I don’t know if we’re misconstruing your happening to be at the rally and your happening to be at Pres. Aquino’s speech as taking a stand, but let me just ask you: have you taken a stand?

A. Not publicly.

Q. What does that mean?

A. Well, you know, you have a personal position. And to the extent that you have a public life like I do, not quite the showbiz public life, but as an officer of a public company, you have, as well, a responsibility to your company and to your shareholder and to your employees where, you know, whatever statements you make could impact their welfare. So you have to be very careful what you say publicly as well. So it’s a balance I’m trying to strike as an individual, as a private person, as a Filipino and as an officer of a public company, which is listed not only in the Philippines but as well as in the States.

Q. Albert del Rosario has been to a number of rallies, even read a speech calling on Cabinet members to resign. What was your reaction to that? He’s your friend.

A. Bless him.

ON THE NEED FOR MORE FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES

Q. How serious do you think this is? I was talking to some fund managers the other day and the general thinking is that, you know, we get a lot of noise coming out of the Philippines and it never really amounts to much. So there seems to be a sense among some people outside the Philippines, fund managers, finance people that well, here we go, the usual noise in the Philippines but nothing will change, the economy will keep moving at the rate it is, in the way that it is, and sooner or later, people will get tired and we’ll all go back to normal. In other words, we’ve seen this for the last several years, it’s nothing different, it’s not more serious.

A. Well, you know, that’s the sentiment, not only reflected by non-Filipinos outside the Philippines but I think perhaps a number of Filipinos as well. For example, if the President were to step down or were to go, retire, what’s next? Will things change as a result of her say, sudden resignation? And that’s the dilemma. What happens next? Will things change or it’s just changing characters on the same stage. And people, as you rightly pointed out, even here in Hong Kong, are saying, ‘Well, okay, there’s another change, what changes have you really brought about?’ And that’s the basic issue. So the issues confronting the nation are really quite more fundamental than just simple change of presidents.

Q. It seems as if people want something more than just a change in faces, it seems, and maybe I’m misreading the public, but people want a change in the way government works, or the way it responds to the needs of the public.

A. Yes. We speak about damaged institutions, correct? And government and so forth and so on. But institutions are made of people. They’re not in anime things, we’re not invented by somebody. And they’re divorced, the running of institutions is divorced from what people are. So in a way, blaming government solely for our ills is rather unfair, right? Because…. I’ve been involved in a number of what you call NSAs, National Sports Associations, and the problems I’ve been in basketball are repeated similarly in other NSAs. So you sort of wonder what’s wrong? So in some respects, the institutions you’re dealing with, be it NSA, government or be it in schools, is merely the form. But the substance of our problem is really ourselves, isn’t it?

ON TOO MUCH DIVISION IN SOCIETY

Q. So how do you change that? What makes a society successful and another not successful?

A. Well, I was in a dinner a few nights ago, and this was Al Gore who was in Manila I think the past year or so. And somebody asked him, remember, he lost by the skin of his teeth, in Florida where, in fact, the governor was the President’s brother, right? Jed Bush. And Al Gore was asked why he didn’t bring his case all the way to the Supreme Court and make a big fuss. Cause I think if that were to happen to the Philippines, with whatever, we won’t have a President for two or three years or whatever. And his response was very simple: to paraphrase him, I don’t know, I wasn’t there when he said it: ‘Why didn’t I do it? It’s because there’s something greater than me, and that’s my country.’

Q. He felt that elevating that issue could have caused too much upheaval.

A. That’s right. And too much divisiveness to his country. So he said...Well, perhaps, he probably also felt that maybe it’s a touch-and-go, really, so rather than being part of the problem, he said, I want to be part of the solution.

Q. Are you conceding that people stop marching on the streets and just get on?

A. No, no. If they think strongly about their opinion, their conviction, they should be allowed, why not?

Q. What do you think?

A. As long as they’re quite orderly and so forth.

Q. So far they have been.

A. So what’s wrong with that?

ON THE NEED TO FIND THE TRUTH

Q. What do you think should happen next?

A. Well, I think the call of the bishops, I agree with. Let’s find out what the truth is.

Q. And finding out the truth, how is that done? Will you hazard a guess?

A. Well, everybody’s got to be honest, I suppose.

Q. What happens if we find out the truth? Then, what follows after that?

A. I guess it depends what the truth is? You have to be ready for the consequences, di ba? what the truth is. Because you know, that’s something, again, those calling for the truth must be aware of.

ON WHETHER HE PLANS TO JOIN POLITICS

Q. We’re talking about national affairs, we’re talking about politics here. When I talk to you about politics, part of me thinks you’re very uncomfortable. Part of me thinks that you actually would relish a nice long conversation about politics. What is your view of politics in general? Do you have an interest in these things?

A. Well, I’m interested in the Filipino way of life, right? So be it politics or show business or whatever it is, it’s something that…. I just feel you have to be in the stream of things effectively. You have to be part of the Filipino way of life to understand how the Filipino thinks and operates.

Q. Do you ever see yourself getting involved in politics in a more overt way?

A. I don’t think so.

ON HIS INTEREST IN SPORTS AND HIS THREE BASKETBALL TEAMS

Q. I get a sense your interest in media for PLDT is more than just strategy, more than just business sense. You know business people, you like sports. There seems to be a genuine interest in your part in content.

A. Entertainment in general. Sports can be entertainment.

Q. People tell me you’re not a guy with a lot of leisure time. So maybe that’s sort of how you wind down?

A. Yes, it’s a spigot to release your tension and everything from work. But you know, certainly, watching a basketball game, say Ateneo-La Salle, you really have to focus on the game, you have to forget about everything else. And equally, when you play badminton, I play badminton, you know you’re gonna do well in the game if your mind is not on the game. So you have to discipline yourself and force yourself to concentrate on the game. Otherwise, you won’t play well.

Q. So it’s nice that what you’re interested in to sort of unwind could also potentially make you a few billion pesos. That’s synergy.

A. It has to pay for the cost.

Q. You’re talking about Ateneo-La Salle, you’re talking about basketball. Ateneo versus San Beda, where would you be?

A. I would wear a red and blue shirt.

Q. Sort of a middle ground kind of an answer there.

A. Well, I was asked that, and this is how I rationalized it. We actually have three teams: the Talk-n-Text team, the Ateneo team, and San Beda team, lately only. If you may, you have three loves. Well, the Talk-n-Txt team is professional team so it’s a professional kind of love. The Ateneo team, Ateneo being sort of intellectual, is more of an intellectual love. But really, when you get down to the emotional love, it’s really San Beda.

Q. So everybody’s got a piece of it.

A. A piece of it. Why? Because if I may say this, probably the San Beda players are a bit more akin to the typical Filipino. They’re just that. Maybe from an income-class standpoint, I guess from a sociological make-up, they seem to be more typical Filipino.

Q. And that’s what endears them to you?

A. That’s what I like about them. They’re probably more human, if you may, than….I’m not saying that as a criticism. My relation with them resonates better purely from a human perspective. #