Callous remark

Just recently, John D. Forbes, senior advisor of the American Chamber of Commerce, came under fire for his uncalled for remarks against the Filipino electorate.

According to media reports, Forbes approached Davaoeno business leader and former agriculture secretary Carlos “Sonny” G. Dominguez over cocktails at a private residence in Forbes Park last April 17 and then asked the staunch supporter of presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte about the latter’s program of government, specifically on agriculture.

Dominguez then talked about Duterte’s focus on eliminating graft and corruption and criminality and how a more peaceful Philippines would be good for business. Imagine CGD’s (well, that’s how reporters who used to cover the agriculture beat, including this writer) surprise when Forbes said that he has “no respect for the Filipino electorate.”

As newspaper accounts would have it, CGD turned his back on Forbes and then a few days after, he posted on social media Forbes’ photo and what he said about Filipino voters. Upon being informed of the post, which obviously has gone viral, Forbes emailed CGD and said that he thought that they were just having a friendly private conversation which obviously has angered CGD.

It is unthinkable for one who represents American business in this country to say something so callous, undiplomatic, arrogant, cocky, rude. Aren’t these the same words that have been used to describe Duterte?

Forbes is the senior advisor of AmCham for the Investment Climate Improvement Project. How could he not have realized that not only is CGD a Duterte supporter, he is also a Filipino who will not take an affront to an entire nation without a fight.

Unreleased survey

How true is it that in survey commissioned by the Liberal Party last April 5, it was Vice President Jejomar Binay who topped voters’ choice for the next president?

According to the Poll Watchers Advocates, a group composed of businessmen, students, professionals and non-professionals, aimed at scrutinizing candidates for national positions, the result was kept from media because LP was expecting its standard bearer Mar Roxas to top the survey.

The  survey results were however leaked to the business community and to the media by Malacañang sources.  According to the survey, Binay topped the list with 29 percent, followed by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte  with 25 percent, independent candidate Senator Grace Poe with 24 percent, and Roxas with only 19 percent.

 Roy Diamante of Banga, South Cotabato, a staunch Binay supporter, observed that other surveys showed Duterte or Poe as leading in the presidential race mainly because these surveys were conducted in the National Capital Region and because these are the the results that they want to come out.

 Rocky Ducayag, another political coordinator from Tabuk, Kalinga, noted that those conducting these other surveys have done injustice to Binay.

Meanwhile, another group of business people from Malate, Ermita and Binondo in Manila said they would vote for a presidential candidate with proven track record of public service and accomplishments. Businesswoman Vicky Espiritu said her colleagues have confined their choice to Binay.

 As this developed, one political scientist observed that although Duterte topped the survey by Pulse Asia conducted on April 5-10,  the numbers might change following the Davao mayor’s highly quoted remarks in connection with a rape and killing of an Australian missionary in 1989. In that survey, Poe got a rating of 25 percent, Binay 20 percent, Roxas 18 percent approval, and Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, one percent.

 Binay’s camp recently dared reporters to join him the Vice-President in his sorties and see for themselves the real situation and the number of attendees.

 Campaign spokesperson Rico Quicho, had said that United Nationalist Alliance’s standard bearer’s real survey result will be that on Election Day because direct campaigning and talking to the people will further strengthen their core group. 

Interestingly, Binay supporters and netizens are blaming the organizers of the second presidential debate for the low numbers the Vice President got in the recent Social Weather Station (SWS) and Pulse Asia surveys.

It will be recalled that the start of the debate was delayed for more than an hour. It was later on revealed to the public that moderator Luchi Cruz-Valdez of TV5, when she was asked earlier if the Vice-President can bring his notes during the debate, said yes.

Binay was all prepared with his notes, which later on the public was informed included a paper which every candidate is supposed to sign allowing a waiver of the secrecy of their bank deposits, but was told that under Comelec rules on the debate, he cannot use his notes during the duration of the debate.

Cruz-Valdez has already issued a public apology but some of Binay’s supporters say this is not enough because the damage has been done as shown by the survey results. According to Ducayag, there are those who still do not know the real reason for the delay and are blaming Binay for it. He also scored  Roxas for blaming Binay for the delay, which also reduced by one hour the time allotted for the debate which was not extended to make up for lost time.

Best luxury brand

The Luxury Lifestyle Awards 2015 Asia has named Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel as the Best Luxury Hotel in the Philippines. The gala ceremonies for one of the most anticipated events in the world of luxury were held last Feb. 25 at Fairmont in Singapore. The more than 250 guests were treated to exclusive cocktails served by official partner Campari Group and got to view the jewelry creations of Caratell (Singapore), MBj (India), and Chara Wen (Taiwan). The winners in the 13 different categories of the luxury business were honored with the Golden Crown and Winner’s Certificate. Boracay Mandarin Hotel is a Triple A resort located at the beachfront of Station 2 in Boracay Island. It has 52 rooms and suites and offers a modern Filipino design that captures the essence of luxurious living in a tropical island setting. The entire team is dedicated to providing exceptional service with the celebrated Filipino warmth and hospitality. Shown in photo are (from left) Nandita Sirohi of Campari Group presenting the Golden Crown award to Lily Po, resident manager of Boracay Mandarin.

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