Papa John turned Trapper John

A Filipino businessman named John Papa came running back to the Philippines to avoid being arrested by the FBI for securities fraud. John put up several "Papa John’s" outlets in the Bay Area. Papa reportedly earned as much as $40 million with his investment scam. While staying in Manila, John lived lavishly, buying golf shares and going around town in flashy cars. Because extradition was long and difficult, the FBI simply watched and waited for John to make a big slip. Just the other month, Papa John made the mistake of going to Hong Kong, where the FBI moved in and nabbed him at the five-star hotel he was staying in. Word is – John Papa is now a number at a detention cell in San Francisco. It looks like Papa John has now become known as Trapper John.

Uncivil Society

It is so ironic that many of these so-called civil society people who were so angry during EDSA 2 shouting and ranting against Joseph Estrada did not want to follow the impeachment rules. Now here they go again singing the same tune, but this time, in chorus with the Erap group that they so vilified before. These people are trouble makers who simply refuse to follow the rules, and they are the reason why this country is as unstable as it is today. Whether the rules are correct or not, they are still the rules and so unless they are changed, have to be followed. Even the US which is a developed country with its justice system firmly set in place, we still see the likes of OJ Simpson and Michael Jackson getting away with murder or in Jackson’s case, getting away "with his pants down." The only way for a country to be stable is for people to follow the rules. People keep asking what’s going to happen. The answer is simple: Follow the rules. Then you will have at least an idea what will happen. No rules can only mean we will end up with a society that is uncivil.

What’s Wrong With Wright?

The SEC, DOLE, POEA, and the BIR should take a closer look into applications of recruitment agency licenses. SpyBiz received information on Hong Kong national Marissa Wang, not a relative of Malou. Ms. Wang is the only foreigner listed as a partner in the Wright International Manpower (WIM) agency located on Bonifacio Avenue in Mandaluyong. Ms. Wang allegedly owns 25 percent of WIM as legally mandated by Philippine laws on recruitment agencies. WIM’s application for a POEA license was recently held because its president failed to show adequate proof of resources and knowledge to run a bona fide recruitment agency. While a foreigner can easily skirt the 25-percent ownership by having each Filipino director sign a blank deed of assignment for company shares, the BIR can instead look into the income tax returns of the Pinoy counterpart to check for capacity to enter into such ventures. Labor Secretary Sto Tomas should look into what makes this Wright a wrong.

The Saga Of Bgy. Lagayan Dami Continues

The Quezon City Spy-Ring reported that New Manila residents were recently up in arms when their phone cables were stolen twice in one week. For some unexplainable reason, the telephone cable thieves have a fetish for the cables in Barangay Damayan Lagi’s Sta. Cecillia St. Why this incredible state of affairs is allowed by the bejeweled Barangayanic Chieftain Manalo is beyond the residents. Strangely enough, Manalo does not seem inclined to go after the thieves and prevent theft by posting guards or by coordinating with PLDT. Instead, he just seems to be intent on increasing his body jewelry collection while he holds court. His night patrolmen alleged that the San Nicolas security guards just sleep at night while the president of a nearby townhome compound gallivants in the US. In the absence of any damayan at all, the frustrated residents are petitioning Hizzoner the Mayor to change their barangay’s name to Lagayan Dami.

‘Mystery’ Ship’s Mission Unveiled

Top Spybiz Eye-spies managed to board the US Navy’s HSV-XI Joint Venture when it was docked in Zamboanga City’s port last week. The futuristic-looking ship is classified as a high-speed catamaran which can operate in the high seas. Despite its "Austin Powers" design, the HSV-X1 (which stands for High Speed Vehicle Experimental One) is basically designed for inter-island transport of personnel and equipment, search and rescue operations, including humanitarian assistance and evacuation. In fact, one HSV was used to help out tsunami victims earlier this year. Three of these ships are currently being tested by the US Navy in various parts of the world in efforts to determine what emerging platform and propulsion technologies work best for the US Navy’s global role. In the welcome ceremony attended by Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat and the governors of Zamboanga, Sulu, and Basilan, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Scott Douglas Bellard explained that the HSV-X1 makes "humanitarian missions as well as disaster response, search and rescue, and routine security cooperation possible." The vessel is essential in assisting USAID-funded projects such as Medical Civic Action Programs (MEDCAPS), Dental Civic Action Programs (DENCAPS), and Engineering Civic Action Programs (ENCAPS) as well as other medical and infrastructure programs being undertaken in the Sulu archipelago. The HSV-X1 was in Zamboanga to deliver 5,000 educational backpacks and 600 sewing machines as part of the Shared Futures Project being undertaken by the US State Department and Weber Shandwick (WS) through the US Embassy and WS’ local affiliate. After the tour, the Eye-Spies finally concluded that the "mystery" ship was no mystery at all. In the briefing by Commander Tom Shaw, they learned that the hull was not made of stealth-grade carbon fiber but of aluminum. The fascinating thing about the ship for them was that it didn’t have propellers. Instead, it uses the water jet propulsion system. It actually is a big jet ski, not an international ship of mystery.

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