President 'torn' between two pals and two hotels

DAVAO CITY - How do you please two close friends who each own a hotel, offering you a home away from home? President Estrada is in such "diplomatic imbroglio."

With the President here yesterday for his five-day sortie in Mindanao, there appeared to be a "tug-of-war" between William Gatchalian, presidential adviser on overseas workers, and Eddie Gaisano, a long-time friend and ardent supporter, over who would be Mr. Estrada's host here.

Gatchalian owns the Insular Waterfront Hotel which he bought from the Ayalas last year, while Gaisano owns the Mercure Grand Hotel.

"Mr. Gatchalian got the President to stay at Insular," said Gaisano while waiting for Mr. Estrada to arrive at the Davao airport.

"Yes, he's staying with us tonight," confirmed John Baricuatro, one of the ranking executives of Gatchalian's Wellex Group of Companies.

Gaisano said it would be up to Mr. Estrada where he would want to stay. "Bahala siya (It's up to him)," he said.

Sources said though that the President will be sleeping at the presidential yacht BRP Pangulo I, docked at Sasa wharf here, for the rest of his stay in the city.

In all his previous trips here, Mr. Estrada had stayed at Gaisano's Mercure Grand Hotel.