Makati Business Club having its own political crisis

Our Makati Business Club (MBC) mole reported that Vivian Yuchengco, a feisty MBC member, asked the MBC board to provide her a copy of the resolution approving the infamous July 8 "GMA Resign!" manifesto. Up to now, however, the board hasn’t provided her a copy. Our Spybiz mole further informed us that the board members who didn’t agree with the manifesto – Tito Yuchengco and Ronnie Concepcion will soon be replaced by Ramon "Boy Blue" del Rosario and SGV’s Dave Balangue. As a result, Ms. Yuchengco is questioning the validity of these changes insisting that an independent members’ group should look into it. Ironically, if her demands aren’t met, she is threatening to ask all the MBC board members to resign.

Filipino Operatives Improving US Intelligence

Apparently, the official view from Washington is it would oppose any coups to resolve the current political crisis because as outgoing US Embassy Charge d’ Affaires Joe Mussomeli said, "It would simply exacerbate the problem... A coup would weaken institutions and weaken democracy in the Philippines. Obviously, the US wants the Arroyo administration to zero in on the key battlefronts of economic reform, corruption, and terrorism. What is revealing is Mussomeli’s confidence in stating that the prospect of a coup right now is "close to zero" because it is highly doubtful the military would support it. The Spy-Ring disclosed that US intelligence has penetrated the armed forces at all levels with Filipino Deep Penetration Agents (DPAs). With their embedded "Deep Throats," it is no wonder US Intelligence is better now at "zeroing in" on Philippine Armed Forces "activities".

Party From The OMD

An industry Ear-Spy heard that OMD Philippines is throwing a party to launch its Manila office at the Rockwell Club’s Palm Grove this Friday. The launch will give OMD the chance to thank friends and clients. OMD International execs like OMD CEO Asia Pacific Mike Cooper and OMD Regional Managing Director for Southeast Asia Jim Go will be attending the bash. The best of luck to this new media outfit. They’ll need it.

College In The Farm

The children of poor farmers in Tiaong, Quezon now have a good chance of finishing a college education through the efforts of the Quezon BETU Multipurpose Cooperative (QBMC) which established a socialized technical college known as the Asian Institute of Technology and Education-Tiaong. QBMC offers free tuition to students and only charges for operating costs and equipment depreciation which amounts to less then P5,000 per trimester, or about one-fourth of the tuition being charged by other computer schools for the same course per trimester. The school had an initial enrolment of 110 students and expects enrolment to reach 250 in two years. However, because the school operates on a non-profit basis and has minimal funding, it needs 15 more computers, recently published computer books, school furniture and additional rooms and space. An estimated P1 million in funding is badly needed, so the school is appealing for grants, loans (preferably interest-free) and donations cash or in kind in order to carry out its noble mission. The town of Tiaong is one of the poorest in Quezon province and is also known as a hotbed of terrorist activities because of its proximity to the Sierra Madre mountain ranges and Mount Malarayat near Batangas. Providing educational assistance to the children of the farmers will go a long way in the fight against poverty and in preventing criminality in the area. The Quezon BETU Multi-Purpose Cooperative is headed by Dr. Augustus "Steve" Legasto Jr., a long-time Manhattan resident and friend of former Sen. Sonny Alvarez. He returned to the country in the early 1990s.

Spy Tidbiz: A Brewing Hatfield vs. McCoy Feud?

It is common knowledge that Sen. Serge Osmeña and Sen. Ed Angara are at odds with each other. It is so obvious that they ignore each other even in social events. The two were seen by Eye-Spy Gollum at the birthday party of former DOTC Secretary Vicente Rivera held at the Loft last Monday. Sen. Loi Estrada and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada were also seen at the gathering of leading Opposition figures, which was organized by the celebrant’s son-in-law. Despite Serge and Ed turning their back on each other, we hope this doesn’t turn into a full-blown Hatfield vs. McCoy feud.

* * *

Join our ring of Eye-spies by sending your intelligence information, complaints, pictures, and comments to [email protected].

All information will be strictly confidential.