A lonely walk

Oh dear. Surely, ABS CBN Broadcasting Corp. chairman Eugenio Lopez III is not behind the charging of students wishing to take their practicum at Channel 2 a, uh, training fee of P1,500 per head.

No other large company in the country charges a training fee for students whose courses require graded on-site training.

Fact is, some companies like Citibank NA are generous enough to provide trainees an allowance equivalent to the minimum wage.

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Former Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Montemayor has gained 20 pounds since he was replaced by Luis Lorenzo Jr. and his doctors are not happy. Leony Montemayor has been told to lose weight pronto and to at least resume brisk walking as an exercise.

Mr. Montemayor has, of course, resumed the presidency of the Federation of Free Farmers. The top priority of the federation is to get as many representatives voted to Congress under the part list program.

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Cornelio Gison has the best of both worlds.

Kune Gison still reports to the Department of Finance, this time as a consultant which requires him to report at the DOF once or twice a week.

The less stressful workload will hopefully help Mr. Gison control his diabetes.

Mr. Gison’s old job as Finance Undersecretary for revenues is now held by Grace Pulido-Tan, a tough job for a petite, but highly capable woman like Ms. Pulido Tan.

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Bank notes: There’s talk that Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. president and chief operating officer Valentin Araneta did not exactly get a warm despedida from his board.

You see, the board chaired by Rizalino Navarro didn’t take too kindly to his letter of resignation, which explained (naturally) why he was leaving effective end-June.

Consequently, it was a lonely walk out of the RCBC head office for Val Araneta at close of business of his last day of work.

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The word is out at Manila Water Co. that everybody’s to help newly appointed chief financial officer Jose Miguel Navarette learn the business as quickly as possible or by the end of the year, whichever is faster.

Mike Navarette’s main teacher would be his predecessor Alberto Jugo, who is staying on as consultant.

As everybody knows, Mr. Navarrete’s working experience has basically been with companies dealing in consumer goods. Before the MWC board chaired by Fernando Zobel de Ayala gave him an offer he couldn’t refuse. Mr. Navarette was CFO of Jollibee Food Corp. and president of Jollibee subsidiary, Delifrance. Before Jollibee, he worked with San Miguel Corp.

Mr. Navarette’s wife Regina Navarette, stays on as president of another Jollibee subsidiary, Greenwich Food Corp.