Hank Greenberg back in the saddle

Former American International Group (AIG) chairman and CEO Maurice “Hank” Greenberg, a personal friend of Filipino icon Washington Sycip, flew in to Manila on Monday on board his private Global Express jet with his wife along with some American businessmen. Business tycoon and Philippines, Inc. chairman Tony Boy Cojuangco hosted a private dinner for Hank and his group at Tony Boy’s bistro restaurant “Lolo Dad’s” at 6750 Ayala Ave., Makati where many of the current administration’s top honchos have their power lunches and dinners. Greenberg and his group were joined by Vice President Jojo Binay, US Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, former Philam Group chairman Cesar Zalamea, ports king Ricky Razon, Union Bank president Justo Aboitiz Ortiz, Businessman Ronnie Concepcion, Philippines, Inc.’s current president Antonio “Uncle Mort” Lopa and vice chairman Susing Pineda.    

Greenberg’s group also paid a courtesy call on President Noynoy Aquino who spent an unusual hour with the American businessmen. The Greenberg group expressed a renewed zeal in their plan to invest in the Philippines and are taking a new look at business opportunities, believing the new administration will make good on its promise to level the playing field and will address such ticklish issues as corruption and the perceived arbitrary and whimsical court rulings – with temprorary restraining orders issued left and right – that have totally turned off many foreign investors.  

The most affected are the European businessmen who in fact continue to shy away from the Philippines because of the highly controversial German firm Fraport AG’s experience with the NAIA 3-Piatco fiasco. The Philippine government nullified the contract in 2002, and it has been a tedious legal saga since then, with Fraport refiling a case before the Washington-based international arbitration court and claiming compensation of $425 million.

In any case, there’s no doubt at all that the big Hank (who is currently the chair and CEO of CV Starr, a financial services firm) is back in the saddle, having survived major setbacks in AIG where he was forced to resign in 2005 after a series of fraud allegations initiated by then New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer who eventually found himself disgraced as governor for patronizing a prostitution ring. Some say it was a case of plain and simple karma for Spitzer who unfairly targeted big New York businessmen like Maurice Greenberg.

Jamby’s new win

Manny Villar’s number one nemesis Jamby Madrigal won a favorable ruling issued by acting presiding judge Ma. Rita Sarabia of the Makati City Court’s Branch 148, who declared that the former senator and ex-presidentiable is indeed an heir to the estate of her late aunt, philanthropist Chito Madrigal. It can be recalled that Jamby was left out of her rich aunt’s will –prompting her to question its validity with allegations that it might have been faked. Dona Chito’s estate was estimated at more than $329 million. Madrigal’s lawyer is also seeking to nullify the sale of the late philanthropist’s properties done before the court’s ruling.       

Perhaps now Jamby can look down her nose once again on those who said she was “history” when news came out about her exclusion from the will. The way it looks – history is not done with her yet. She may just go back to the Senate with her renewed, or rather, newfound wealth.

Murdoch eats humble ‘shaving cream’ pie

“This is the most humble day of my life,” declared media mogul Rupert Murdoch during his three-hour grilling at the British Parliament hearing on the phone hacking scandal that has stirred a hornet’s nest in the whole of UK and captured global attention and scrutiny. No one certainly thought that the man who was considered the most powerful man in the world would be eating humble pie literally and figuratively –as a disgusted spectator identified as comedian Jonathan May Bowles (also known as “Jonnie Marbles”) lost his marbles and splattered shaving cream in a plastic bottle at Murdoch.

With amazing speed, the 80-year-old Murdoch’s much younger third wife, Asian Wendi Deng, jumped up and quickly fired the offending shaving platter back to the prankster and gave him a taste of what seemed to many like her right hook. While she was able to deflect Marbles’ aim, some of the pie still managed to land on Murdoch’s face and on his expensive suit. The 42-year-old Wendi, now dubbed as the “Hidden Dragon,” was able to slap the man on the head and threw the shaving cream back to his face.

No doubt Murdoch is learning a lot of lessons on account of the hacking scandal – but perhaps the most enviable lesson of all is that it looks like it sometimes pays to have a wife 38 years younger than you. Though some say that in the end, it gets more expensive especially when you get a divorce. At any rate, the way Wendi protected her man – jumping up to his defense and lovingly wiping off the cream from his face with her “magic wand” – might just cost Murdoch a couple of billions in the end.

Spy Bits rumor mill

 – Last Tuesday, we wrote an item about Sarangani Congressman Manny Pacquiao’s rumored offer to buy membership shares at the Manila Golf and Manila Polo clubs, both of which were immediately turned down by members. Supporters of the global pound-for-pound king sent in their reaction, saying “those rich snobs” better watch out because the Pacman may just run for president one day and win. And when that happens, President Manny Pacquiao may just decide to give those “snooty elitists a bitter pill by declaring the land on which those high-end clubs are located part of public domain.”       

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Email: spybits08@ yahoo.com