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Flash: - (as we went to press) One of Raoul's good friends just advised that
the apparent uptick in PSE last week, which appeared to be fueled by foreign investment (the transactions went through certain foreign brokerage houses), was actually because certain GFIs (let's say SSS and GSIS) funneled about P 2 billion of taxpayer money through those channels. Reliable sources whisper that Pardo and Buenaventura are behind the operation . . . Mistress story of the week has to do with an alleged presidential bedding of a certain Davao PR pro. As the PR manager of a hotel where the presidential party was staying, she was in charge of care and feeding. Naturally, she hung around and traded jokes with the Principal (being a worldly woman, she didn't take offense at a barrage of what we Filipinos call green jokes). Her name's been circulating on text messages for weeks, to the effect that she was a "gift" from the crony who owned the hotel, After being outed this week by a Manila columnist, she's defending herself, saying that all she got out of it was a ruined rep and a white wristband embellished with the Presidential insignia. Being ever the gentleman, the wearer of said apparel item removed it from his sweaty wrist, autographed it, and gave it to her as a memento. Thus, a new pseudonym - Wrist Band - to refer to you-know-who. Manong Ernie to the rescue! This movie's getting better all the time, and it's shaping up to be a slambang finale. Seems old Ernie Maceda got tired of state dinners in DC and came back to town, allegedly on vacation, but actually galloping over the hill cavalry-like to save Erap from hisself. Long known as a world-class political infighter, he is seen as the heavy artillery needed to fight out of the foxhole. Problem is the Snake Pit is absolutely hopping with backbiting and intrigue, long knives in the dark stuff, intense even by Malacañang standards. First order of business: put a halt to emissaries like Pardo and Wrist Band son JVE talking about "graceful exits" and such with Cory. When you're playing hard ball, negotiation is a sign of weakness. Expect propoganda blitzes, plenty of dirty tricks, and the deployment of a huge war chest for officials, politicians and media. No holds barred. Tensions, though, related to certain Tsinoy businessmen and racketeers who contributed heavily to Wrist Band's election and who have been feeding unmolested at the public trough. WB never says no to old buddies (too much utang), even less so now that he is implicated through dummies (mostly family). Ernie wants to stop it, sees them for what they are (gamblers, boozer, stock manipulators, the list goes on). Not to name names, but some say the crew in question includes Atong Ang, Lucio Co, MJ, Sel Yulo, Baby Asistio, Jaime Dichaves, Dante Tan... Speaking of political cage matches, the opposition is relying on Joe De Venecia to handle whatever Manong Ernie can throw at them. They happen to be bros-in-law, both learned their trade at the foot of the master (Marcos), and both are Ilocanos (born and bred for the game). JDV is marshalling his troops, people like Tito Guingona, Joker Arroyo, and Sonny Alvarez. This should be fun, but let's hope it don't destroy the country in the process. Just like the WWF, there ain't no real referees and people could get hurt. Charitable Giving Department: Wrist Band openly admitted knowing about a P200 million payoff from Chavit Singson, delivered from jueteng payola queen Yoly Ricaforte to Attorney Serapio, WB was adamant that he didn't touch the dough, pointing out that it was deposited to the account of something called the Muslim Youth Scholarship Foundation (a good-hearted organization out to help deserving Muslim youth down in Mindanao and elsewhere). Only a couple of problems with that. First, the Foundation looks to not even be registered with the SEC, and nobody can seem to name even a single kid who's benefited. Muslim leaders are outraged, it being not surprisingly a sin in the eyes of Allah to accept money from immoral sources (gambling payoffs would presumably fall in that category). Second, admission of a crime is sufficient in most courts of law, regardless of outcome. WB came right out and 'fessed up (his lawyers were aghast). He knew about the money, knew the source, and knew the purpose. Perry Mason would glance over at Hamilton Berger, smile tensely, and say "no further questions, your Honor." (And why wasn't Serapio ordered to return what was clearly intended as a bribe or, better yet given the state of the economy, transfer it to the National Treasury. Inquiring minds want to know...) GMA tsismis: GMA's stock is falling almost as fast as stocks on the PSE. Too eager beaverish for most, no delicadeza. Seems like somebody would tell her to cool her ardor just a bit while things play out. Besides, a plethora of crooks, all-purpose parasites, and influence peddlers are crawling out of the woodwork to join her team, many of whom were in the thick of things with Tita Cory and Kuya Eddie. Ex-Budget Sec. Salvador Enriquez came strolling out of a National Security Council meet and proceeded to gripe his head off to reporters about how Wrist Band's economic advisors see nothing but blue skies when they should acknowledge the underlying problems. But when he left office (1998), the government was hiding billions of pesos of unpaid invoices from public contractors and sweeping miscellaneous malfeasance under the rug... The Rising Cost of Doing Business: Wonder how much Saturday night's Luneta pro-Erap/Brother Mike crowd cost? Word has it that for a Cebu rally two weeks ago, a certain Senator received P 2.5 million to assemble 5,000 WB enthusiasts for P 500 a head. But he cheated, delivering only 3,000 at P200 a pop, payable half up front, half after rally. Then a downpour hit and most folks hightailed it home, improving the poor public servant's profit on the event even further. It's a Plot! According to Senator John Osmeña, the "business elites" of Makati are the root of all evil, especially the Darth Vader-ish Makati Business Club. They're guilty of treason and economic sabotage, and are clearly behind a disinformation campaign that Goebbels would've been proud of. They ought to get out of the country and invest somewhere else if they don't like the way the WB crew is managing things. Unfortunately, they are infinitely powerful and collude on the stock market and currency exchanges. According to Osmeña, "we are at their mercy." And last but not least . . . Big strike Tuesday the 14th: Key figures are ex-congressman Peping Cojuangco and Pastor Boy Saycon, the same pair who took the huge risk of sheltering Singson when he started singing (pretty courageous and potentially life-threatening). The way things are going, street violence could be on the cards before long, Chicago-like 1968 Days of Rage, but a lot nastier. The corruption and general ethical sleaziness of this administration makes Tricky Dick look like a piker, and people are getting real tired of what is rapidly becoming a really low grade B movie... See you at the rally A few random text messages sent to Raoul during this confusing week... Erap for sainthood: No one else in history has made us pray dis hard... Erap = Robin Hood, or is it Erap = hood? Erap = poor up here, strong down there Erap thinks with da wrong head FLASH! Erap wins Novel Peace Prize in chemistry and biology. In less dan 3 years he turned stable peso into shit. Laarni Entiquez owns TOP WIN secu brokerage w/c cornered SSS/GSIS transactions Angara will not resign, his stewardess girlfriend Yvette Grant is da best friend of Weng Lopez, stewardess mistress of Erap Anoder bombshell: Crony Jaime Dichoves bought 4 Erap 5000 SQM Forbes Park mansion at 52 Pici St. valued 180M ownd by Rolly Asis Raoul...
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© Asian Business Strategy & Street Intelligence Ezine 2000
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