Double squeeze

While legitimate businessmen welcome the renewed drive by the BIR to go after tax evaders, some of them are caught “between the devil and the deep blue sea” so to speak. They made the mistake of giving in to some unscrupulous BIR agents in the past to avoid being audited, following the old Filipino bad habit of “quick fixes.” Now these BIR agents are back with a double whammy threatening to submit the names of these businessmen as tax evaders unless they put up or shut up. So that the businessmen can get out of this predicament and report these people, BIR commissioner Kim Henares may want to consider offering some form of amnesty to some of them who are ready to talk. Otherwise you can absolutely be certain the bad BIR eggs will just continue to practice “business as usual.”

Sunshine business

This young business tycoon always manages to be “in” with past and present administrations. While he continues to keep good relations with all past presidents, he now enjoys some form of friendship with the current one. He was a major contributor during the past elections, but more than that, he bankrolled the campaign for about 60 congressmen. The 60 are ready to support the Speakership of Sonny Belmonte. In politics, Erap’s famous “weather-weather” line holds true but in business, very often you need to be with the good weather since as they say, politicians come and go but businessmen are here to stay. For this young enterprising business tycoon, he makes sure the sun is always shining on his business empire.

Ateneans among our midst

For two years running, Ateneo has been lording it over as UAAP champion much to the chagrin of archrival De La Salle. This Saturday there will be another big showdown between the Green Archers and the Blue Eagles. As everyone knows President Noynoy is an Atenean along with a number of his co-workers in government who also happen to be his classmates. Unaware of this fierce rivalry, US President Obama appointed Jesuit-schooled Harry Thomas as Ambassador to the Philippines. The former US Ambassador Kristie Kenney tried to remain neutral even while she regularly sat at the special private box of Araneta Coliseum owner and La Salle graduate Jorge “Nene” Araneta. But this time around, Manny Pangilinan invited Ambassador Thomas to sit on the Ateneo side. After all, the US Ambassador went to the Holy Cross College, a Massachusetts Jesuit school, and is openly rooting for the Ateneo team.

Wealthy gift giving

Iñigo Zobel, the wealthy Ayala heir, spends most of his time traveling between Spain and New York. He regularly spends two days in Manila merely to attend the San Miguel Board meetings. Iñigo has been a member of the SMC board since 1999 and has never collected a single cent from the per diem due him as a board member. He either donates the amount to charity or reverts it to SMC. After a recent board meeting, San Miguel president and COO Ramon Ang or RSA for short reportedly accompanied Iñigo down to the SMC basement – where a brand new Mercedes Benz was waiting. It was apparently RSA’s personal gift in appreciation to Iñigo Zobel for generously and religiously attending the board meetings. Along with his sister Dedes, Iñigo is considered to be the biggest stockholder of Ayala Corp. and perhaps the wealthiest among the entire Zobel clan.

Dutch treat-ment

Spanish Ambassador Luis Arias Romero and Dutch Ambassador Robert Brinks are relatively close friends holding office in the same building. But right after the World Cup finals, the Dutch Ambassador reportedly could not control the emotional trauma of losing to Spain, he avoided going in to the same elevator with the Spanish envoy. Some people call that the “Dutch treat-ment,” but after getting over it, the two envoys have become close friends again.

Bobby Ongpin reacts

The other day, I received a call with this rather upset voice coming all the way from France. It was Bobby Ongpin reacting to our Spy Bits column last Tuesday, vociferating that he had nothing to do with the sudden departure of Andy Bautista from the Shangri-La Group. While Bobby admits being a close friend and business associate of Robert Kuok, he says it is Edward Kuok, a nephew of Robert, who calls the shots when it comes to the Shangri-La Group. Bobby further explained he has only met Andy Bautista twice. He also stressed he does not meddle in the management affairs of the Kuok group but only recommends to his friend, Robert Kuok, if there are any good investment opportunities. Bobby Ongpin claims he is semi-retired and lives nine months of the year between his home in France and Italy.

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