Saturday, September 19, 1998
Straight to the Point
By Ernie M. Maceda
The biggest winners in the May 11, 1998 elections were not Manny and Ronnie Zamora, Orly and Susie Mercado, or Ramon and Lenny de Jesus.
Not even Loi and Guia. But a molly, moneyed group of Chinese businessmen who now proudly tell everybody that they are "friends of the President from wayback" and detailing how many millions they contributed to the campaign,
The last 2 weeks, the newspaper front pages were full of stories and pictures of Atong Ang and Lucio Tan as proof of their special status in this administration.
Among the first presidential appointments announced was that of William Gatchalian, who made his fortune bringing in chemicals or resins by the boatloads, as Presidential Consultant for Overseas Filipino Workers.
Next Julio Tan, Lucio Tan's messenger boy, as Presidential Consultant on Chinese Affairs. He now shares the office of Jose Jaime Policarpio.
Also appointed were Benito Yao as Presidential Consultant on Chinese Investors, Wee Dee Ping, the Zamboanga Pay-Pan as Presidential Adviser on Mindanao Economic Affairs, Eddie Lim as Presidential Consultant on Capital Markets and Alfonso Lim, Jr. as Presidential Consultant for Wildlife and Marine Conservation.
Also named was Al Yuchengco as Presidential Adviser on APEC matters.
While not formally appointed. Atong Ang, the leading Tin Pan, is speaking in the Sofitel coffeeshop like he is the Presidential Consultant on Gambling.
Of course, the biggest winner is Lucio Tan, whose tax case is going by the wayside, who because of his Palace connections has started to bargain with little faith with the hapless PAL unions. He is credited with DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma's and BIR Commissioner Beethoven Rualo's appointments.
William Gatchalian brought then unproclaimed Manila Mayor Tito Atienza to President Estrada at Polk Street and got the Comelec to think that Tito had the President's blessing and suddenly proclaimed Atienza the "WINNER" en banc.
Jack Ng, the silent San Juan Tai Pan who owns Rebisco, a biscuit company, is probably the closest to the President. Very low profile, he has recommended a few sub cabinet appointees.
Among the other winners, the Gaisanos of Cebu. Also Feliciano Tan of Zamboanga City who got his son Nelson Tan, a former PACC agent appointed Deputy Customs Commissioner.
George Ty gave 2 lavish parties in his house both of which the President attended. Some people now call him George Ty Mesta.
And who is this young Tin Pan, Allan Lee, who has been elected to the Board of Directors of San Miguel Corporation, the country's No. 1 business giant?
And where is Anthony Dee, one of the original buddies of the President? 1 was told he is the only one who has not asked to be appointed.
The Chinese has always been influential in Philippine politics.
Macapagal had Antonio Roxas Chua, Marcos had Ralph Nubia and subsequently Lucio Tan. Cory had Domingo Lee, Ramos had Tan Yu, Al Yuchengco. Henry Sy and Catalino Tan, but President Estrada has the most. Already he has appointed 7 Chinese Filipinos as Presidential Consultants/Advisers.
Is this good or bad for the country? Time will tell. In the past administration, behind most big business contracts with the government was a Chinese contractor or financier. The new airport was delayed because of infighting among the Tai Pans. All of them own banks whose lending practices have been questioned by IMF. The Binondo Central Bank dictated the exchange rate.
In Indonesia, the ongoing revolt has been principally sparked by the natives' resentment of the rich Chinese and their control of the country's economic life:
At least, in this country we don't kill them or rape their women. We either kidnap them or make them Presidential Advisers.
...
The announced closure of PAL has been correctly described by Malacañang as a man-made disaster. And who are the men responsible. Benigno Toda, Imelda, Jun Cruz, Lucio Tan, ALPAP, the purchasing managers? Take your pick. But all administrations before President Estrada certainly must share part of the blame.
Between FVR, Joe Almonte and Tony Carpio, PAL under Lucio Tan never had a Chinaman's chance to succeed. Nobody blames Lucio Tan for his exasperated decision to throw in the towel.
But this will once more test how "strong" President Estrada is with Lucio and vice versa.
One suggestion, since PAL is losing P60 million a day, can we not monetize one half of the P300, 000 worth of shares and give the employees a cash signing bonus across the board. And for a little self-respect for the labor leaders, can we reduce the 10-year CBA suspension to 7 1/2 or 8?
Don't believe reports that Danding Cojuangco is willing to take over PAL. He has more business sense than that. I hope that Ronnie Zamora or Lenny de Jesus will have the same common sense not to recommend a government take over. One Centennial Expo scam is enough for SSS and GSIS members to absorb.
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