A tale of two friends

The PLDT-First Pacific battle for control will go down in history books as one of the most colorful corporate struggles in this country. I was privileged to have a ringside seat to writing and reporting the blow- by-blow account for both camps.

One of the most interesting sidelights of the battle is the tale of two friends, both working for powerful titans of the business world, who found themselves on opposite sides of the battlefield. Both are young, accomplished, and considered to be future leaders of the country. Both have received the highest award for excellence, the TOYM (Ten Outstanding Young Men) award. I'm talking about Lance Gokongwei, heir apparent to the Gokongwei empire built by his father, John. And Butch Jimenez, vice-president for media and strategic communications of PLDT under Manuel V. Pangilinan.

Both Lance and Butch primarily know each other as founders of the Philippine Forum Foundation, a brainchild of Trade and Industry Secretary Mar Roxas patterned after the World Economic Forum wherein the foundation gathers together the best and brightest minds of the country in the field of business, academe, government, arts, civil society, economics, and media for a yearly forum to share and discuss ideas with the end in view of strengthening ties, building relationships, and helping move the country forward.

When Lance announced the proposed sale and takeover of PLDT last June 4, Butch was watching the press conference on television and felt that war had just been declared, not so much by the Gokongweis but by First Pacific who without any regard for the best interests of PLDT just sold its controlling interests like a piece of raw meat.

With the tri-media announcement of the Gokongweis that they had a legally binding MOA with First Pacific, it became apparent that the battle would be fought not only in the boardroom, but moreso in the media. Butch, having just joined PLDT barely six months prior to the announcement, knew he would have to lead the media battle against the flawed deal and in effect against Lance.

The first few days saw attacks and counter-attacks from both camps with the Gokongweis expressing confidence in eventually controlling PLDT, while PLDT desperately trying to convince the public that this was not a "done deal". But throughout the tirade, one of the things that crossed my mind was weather or not friendships can weather a war this big, this intense, with the stakes so high.

After the first volley of media firepower launched from both sides, I heard rumors that Butch and Lance had called each other to meet. Now it can be told that the two friends did meet at the coffee shop of the Robinsons Galleria Suites at the start of the battle.

The two met to discuss the rules of engagement. They met to commit to fighting the battle with integrity, and truthfulness. Before parting, they decided to keep the lines of communication open (Butch with his Smart cellphone and Lance with his Globe, soon to be a Digitel cell I presume), and the friendship and respect, intact.

Over the 92-day battle, I had the chance to talk to and receive press releases, media briefs, information, and stories from both guys. I must say that looking back, both Butch and Lance never gave me information that was untrue, inaccurate, or a malicious attack against each other's camps. They were accurate with their statements, truthful with their positions, and defended their home court without throwing mud or hitting below the belt. True, there may have been other elements involved doing the "dirty" tricks, but from my experience, not these two.

I found out that just a few hours after the Gokongweis announced they would terminate the MOA, both Butch and Lance were on the phone. The first thing Lance said was, "We can finally rest." Butch responded with, "Let's go on vacation."

At the most heated moments of the battle, I tried to cajole Butch to talking negatively against Lance. He never did. The same goes for Lance. Absolutely no statement was uttered by him both openly or anonymously that attacked Mr. Pangilinan's character or integrity. And no matter how intense the firepower became, for some reason, they never buckled to the pressure. To my recollection, they were always smiling.

Butch's last word on Lance, "He's all set to be one of the best business leaders of the country, and I believe this experience will make him even better." I must say that the battle was fierce, specially on the media front. But it's heartening to know that respect and friendships can transcend the most intense corporate conflicts.

Latest at NTC

Gen. Leandro Mendoza, secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communication, is reportedly recommending to President Arroyo the appointment of another military man to head the National Telecommunications Commission and fill up the vacancy left by the resignation of General Eliseo Rio last October 8. Like Rio who is an electronics and communications engineer, this recommendee who is near retirement age is said to have spent many of his younger days in the radio communications field.

Right now, NTC deputy commissioner Armi Jane Borje is acting NTC chief and she has been recommended by Brother Eddie Villanueva of the Jesus is Lord Movement to the President to occupy the position on a permanent capacity. Let’s just hope that it will not take the President so much time before she decides who will be the new NTC chief.

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