Trump business partner in Philippines named special envoy to US

MANILA, Philippines - US presidential candidate Donald Trump’s business partner in the Philippines has been named as another special envoy to the United States.

Businessman Jose E.B. Antonio is the founder of Century Properties Group Inc. (CPGI), the company behind Trump Tower Manila.

The residential skyscraper inside Century City in Makati is licensed under the Trump brand, which is owned by the real estate mogul.

Century City Development Corp., a unit of CPGI, holds the license to develop the tower.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) yesterday, CPGI said President Duterte appointed Antonio, the company’s chairman and CEO, as special envoy to the US last Oct. 28.

“His mission is to enhance business ties and strengthen the economic affairs between the two countries,” CPGI said in its disclosure.

Antonio shall continue to serve as the company’s chairman, CPGI said.

Antonio graduated cum laude from San Beda College, Manila in 1966 with a bachelor’s degree in Commercial Science (major in Marketing) and received a master’s degree in Business Management in 1968 from Ateneo de Manila’s Graduate School of Business.

He also graduated from Harvard University’s Owner/President Management Program in 2003.

In 2005, he served as the Philippines’ special envoy for trade and economics to the People’s Republic of China.

He is also the founder and chairman of the Philippine-China Business Council Inc. In addition, he serves as vice chairman of Penta Pacific Realty Corp. and Subic Air Charter Inc.

CPGI launched the Trump Tower in 2012. It has over 250 units for residential use and an expected sales value of P6 billion, making it one of the most expensive and luxurious real estate projects in the country.

Unit sizes range from 60 square meters for the suite and 400 sqm for the penthouse, with high-end amenities such as a grand lobby, fine dining restaurant, library and business center.

It is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.

It is under the Trump brand, which has projects across the United States, Panama, Canada and Turkey. Its projects include residential, hotel, office, retail and golf properties.

Trump buildings are known for “their spectacular views, prime locations, luxurious amenities and discerning owners. The existing clientele of Trump includes global CEOs and celebrities,” CPGI said.

Earlier, President Duterte had also named STAR columnist Babe Romualdez as a special envoy to improve relations with the US.