Another unusual bidding practice

An informant disclosed that a certain government agency conducted the bidding for an IT-related project in a very "abnormal" manner. In a published invitation, the agency required interested bidders to submit a letter of intent (LOI) and apply for eligibility – without providing interested parties details of their requirements and what products or services are required for the project. Aside from having a valid DTI/SEC registration, the only other criteria listed for a bidder to be eligible is at least three years of experience in IT, software application system, development and supply of computer hardware, plus experience in providing software application systems to other government agencies. What’s suspicious about the whole thing, the informants said, is that participating bidders will be short-listed to just three without the DOTC knowing the capabilities of the other bidders – with the exact details of products and services required provided only after bidders have been short-listed. As it turned out, several potential bidders from prominent companies and with established reputations were disqualified, giving rise to speculations that the "qualified" three may be preferred suppliers who may have had prior arrangements made with whoever has control of that particular bidding process. The disqualified bidders are allegedly afraid of complaining because it might jeopardize their existing relationship with the government agency.

Pinoy one of Asia’s top 10 analysts

A Filipino working for Abacus Securities landed in the Top 10 best analysts in Asia list, beating others from JP Morgan, AB Amro and others. According to StarMine, a research outfit based in San Francisco, the top 10 analysts showed the highest overall "excess" returns on the stock picks versus industry benchmarks covering July 2005 to June 2006. Some 1,700 analysts’ track records (in terms of recommendations and earning estimates) were tabulated by Thomson Financial. Filipino Raymond "Nicky" Franco landed on the fifth spot with an average excess return of 40 percent. According to a report by Forbes, Franco, who covers stocks in the Philippines, had his best pick with Philex Mining, which rose 287 percent. His other timely pick was with Paxys, a call center operator, whose shares gained 114 percent during the time Franco had a "strong buy" recommendation. So when you’re planning to buy, sell or hold on to shares, you know who to listen to.

Banging heads with Alabangers

Spybiz informants disclosed that a mestizo-looking board member of the homeowners’ association in Alabang is proving to be a malicious tattletale. This Alabanger, who’s a regular in the favorite watering hole of other board members, reportedly shoots his mouth off whenever he has had a drink too many, disclosing confidential board matters and sowing malicious comments against his colleagues in the process. The troublemaker is apparently succeeding because the board is in disarray and members, who could not tell truth from lies, have apparently gone suspicious of each other. As a result, projects are being mothballed or delayed, much to the annoyance of residents and other association members. Spybiz informants said the association president is allegedly helpless. If he fails to control the situation soon, members might just see Alabangers butting heads against each other.

Spy tidbiz: Hold that fruit

Fresh fruits and veggies are healthy options, but they may trigger allergies, especially at this time of the year. According to Experts from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), pollen from ragweed – a yellow colored weed native to North America but also found in Asia – can cause sneezing, itchy, watery eyes and oral allergy syndrome (OAS), which is triggered after eating fresh fruits and vegetables. Common symptoms of OAS include an itchy mouth and throat, with mild swelling after immediately eating fresh fruits or vegetables such as banana, cucumbers, melon, zucchini and even chamomile tea. People who eat apples, peaches, pears, carrots, almost can also experience OAS symptoms. Ragweed grows in ditches, roadsides, along riverbanks and around the woods, and winds can blow its pollens for long distances. Rains, however, could wash off the pollens and ease allergic symptoms. So if you suddenly get an itchy sensation after biting into an apple, it’s probably ragweed pollen at work.

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