Trumped-up charges

The Republican race to the primaries continues to heat up with Donald Trump shooting off a mouthful against close rival Senator Ted Cruz, calling the latter “a bit of a maniac” who does not have “the right temperament” to become president. Trump says the tendency of Cruz to scream at people and call them “liars” makes it difficult for the senator from Texas to get along well with people. 

Trump, on the other hand, claims he has a great relationship with people, saying he was initially criticized because he gets along well with Democrats, liberals and Republicans – practically “everybody.” That is, except for Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal who has called out the American business mogul on Twitter, calling him a “disgrace not only to the GOP, but to all America,” and telling Trump to “withdraw from the US presidential race as [he] will never win.”

The reality TV star (who popularized the term “You’re fired!” in “The Apprentice”) fired right back: “Dopey Prince Alwaleed Talal wants to control our US politicians with daddy’s money. Can’t do it when I get elected.”

The Twitter war stemmed from Trump’s controversial proposal to ban all Muslim immigrants to the United States following the carnage in San Bernardino, California where a married couple believed to be radicalized Muslims barged into a party and started firing semiautomatic rifles and short firearms, resulting in the death of 14 people and the wounding of 21 others. The shooters – who publicly declared their allegiance to ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) – were later killed by the police.

“Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on,” a press release from the camp of Trump stated, triggering a backlash specially since the Republican frontrunner also called for surveillance on Muslim mosques and said he approves of establishing a database of all Muslims in the US.

Calling Trump’s pronouncements outrageous and dangerous because it fans the flames of hate, politicians have also criticized the outspoken businessman, while a petition signed by over 500,000 people want him banned from entering the United Kingdom. His businesses are also taking a hit. Just a couple of days ago, a billboard ad containing his name and photo showing him playing on a golf course was taken down by Damac Properties, which is constructing a $6 billion project for two Trump-branded golf courses and over a hundred luxury villas in the outskirts of Dubai. 

The American business tycoon’s “trumped-up charges against Muslims” is making retailers retaliate, with the biggest chain suspending the sale of all Trump home decors such as lamps, mirrors and other glitzy items. His Middle Eastern business associates like billionaire Khalaf Al Habtoor – who had expressed admiration for Trump much earlier for being “a breath of fresh air among the usual suspects” – has withdrawn support saying he was wrong about the businessman.

For sure, Trump’s bluntness is making many uncomfortable and angry, yet he continues to be on top of the race, with support from white working Americans continuing to get stronger according to analysts. This is probably the reason why some of America’s biggest financial institutions have been quiet and have not joined the “trump the Donald” rhetoric. According to observers, executives are wary about getting into a verbal tussle or a Twitter war with Trump – who could certainly hold his own – and his supporters.

Political scientists, however, say companies are simply adopting a wait-and-see attitude, assessing when it would be “timely” to strike at Trump. Others, however, dismissed the GOP candidate’s “hate speech” as mere rhetoric, saying that banning all Muslims from traveling to the US is unthinkable since it will be bad for business.

Duterte’s alleged appointment with Pope Francis declined

If the US has Donald Trump who is keeping politics exciting, the Philippines has Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte whose colorful personality and controversial statements is driving debate – and making politics here interesting to watch. For instance, his expletive against the Pope angered many and made the mayor’s PDP-Laban party mates scramble for damage control.

We were told somebody advised the mayor to send a letter seeking an appointment with Pope Francis at the Vatican to personally apologize to the pontiff. The same informant told us the pope had to decline since it would be inappropriate for him to see the mayor who is running for the May 2016 elections with the reason being that if Pope Francis agreed to see Duterte, he might find himself having to accommodate requests from other candidates as well. Besides, the Papal Nuncio told us the apology issued by Duterte was already accepted by Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles, and the same has most likely been transmitted to the Vatican.

EMotors named as Asia CEO’s Green Company of the Year

We have to congratulate EMotors CEO Elizabeth Lee for bagging the “Green Company of the Year” honors at the recent Asia CEO awards which recognizes the importance of environmental protection and sustainability initiatives of companies in lowering carbon emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change.

Beth, who is also a board member of the Manila Overseas Press Club, said the award “reflects the hard work and dedication of the EMotors team and the support of partners and clients who have committed to act on environmental protection.”

The award is timely and opportune as it comes against the backdrop of the recent COP21 Climate Change Summit where a historic commitment was reached by participating economies to limit carbon emissions – with the transport industry being a major contributor to the pollution. EMotors offers a clean and green alternative mode of transportation that can be used by a wide range of industries and clients.

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