Will Fraport problem be solved soon?

If there’s one thing that these presidential trips have substantially accomplished, it’s the fact that it can sometimes make interaction with Cabinet officials much easier. At the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, lawyer Rolando Mario “Opap” Villonco shared a few drinks with DOTC Secretary Mar Roxas, with the conversation inadvertently veering to the controversial dispute involving the NAIA-3 Terminal and German firm Fraport AG. Opap belongs to the Siguion Reyna Montecillo & Ongsiako Law Offices which is the legal counsel of the German firm that has refiled its expropriation claim before the Washington-based International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes or ICSID.

Both Mar and Opap expressed an openness to a compromise, but the DOTC Secretary told Spy Bits that the Aquino administration will not agree to any settlement that would give even the slightest connotation of graft. President Noy is adamant about his drive against corruption, taking care not to be tainted by controversial issues associated with the past administration.

The German government itself through its Foreign Office State Minister Werner Hoyer expressed support of the anti-corruption campaign of President Noynoy Aquino and his drive for transparency and good governance, saying the Fraport issue should not affect bilateral ties between the two countries. However, Hoyer said the issue must be settled so that everyone can move on. Opap shares the same sentiment, expressing that although his firm represents Fraport, as a Filipino he wants to see it resolved in a manner that would redound to the good of everyone concerned especially the Philippines.

The legal battle could drag on for years – and it’s about time all parties found a reasonable way to settle it. If Fraport and the Philippine government can resolve it by the end of this year, this could create a “ripple effect” with a very high impact since it will encourage major German investors (and others as well) to come back and take part in President Noy’s public-private partnership programs. 

Tough year for ABS-CBN

Romualdez and Lopez

Spy Bits had a conversation with ABS-CBN chairman and CEO Gabby Lopez on the way to Tokyo for the four-day working visit of President Noy, and he admitted that it’s been a tough year indeed for the giant network. The double-digit drop in earnings for the first half of the year has made it difficult for the company to meet its target for the year, but Gabby is confident that ABS-CBN will continue to dominate the airwaves.

We asked him if he sees Manny Pangilinan’s TV5 network as a potential threat, to which he answered “not really.” As a matter of fact, there were several positive developments for the Lopezes recently, among them the improved outlook for the Lopez Holdings Corp. with the reduction of its debt, bringing down obligations to $7.5 million from a high of $560 million in 2002. For the first time in 16 years, Lopez Holdings (which has a 57 percent stake in ABS-CBN) also declared cash dividends to stockholders.

The Filipino Channel also continues to be the leading “all Filipino network,” dominating viewership shares among Filipinos abroad. ABS-CBN has been conducting digital terrestrial TV (also known as DDT or DTV) test broadcasts in response to a growing clamor among viewers for a shift to digital television because it provides a much better viewing experience, with clearer signals even in bad weather.

According to a study conducted by the giant network, some 90 percent of Philippine viewers are on non-cable free TV, and once the DTV rollout is completed, it will enable those from the D and E sectors who cannot afford cable subscriptions to enjoy more channels for free TV broadcasts. It’s clear that the way to go now is digital, and ABS-CBN’s readiness to shift to DTV only goes to show that it is attuned to the changing times. Which is probably why, despite stiff competition, ABS-CBN continues to be a leader in broadcast media.

Key-dnapping by PAL employee

With Typhoon Pedring already causing havoc to millions of Filipinos all over the country, PAL employees chose to stage what has been condemned as an illegal strike, stranding over 14,000 passengers in the process. Passengers were naturally furious at what some described as “a highly calculated act of sabotage.” But what many find condemnable is the alleged stealing committed by a flight attendant. According to reports, this unnamed FA ran off with the key of the truck that would tow the passenger boarding ramp to the aircraft. Boarding ramps are used for safe boarding and de-boarding, and the alleged irresponsible act caused undue stress and anxiety to passengers. Whoever carried out this key-dnapping should be made accountable for making the passengers suffer emotionally and psychologically. What this flight attendant did is totally unfair and criminal – and he should be charged accordingly!

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