Duterte hopes Yanson family will settle feud

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines –  President Duterte is hoping that  members of the Yanson family, who own one of the biggest transport firms in the country, will settle their dispute.

The President attended the 86th birthday celebration of Olivia Yanson, the matriarch of the family, at L’ Fisher Hotel on Thursday. He was accompanied by Senators Christopher “Bong” Go, Cynthia Villar and Immee Marcos;  Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, and presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo.

The President told Olivia about his wish that her family would reconcile on her birthday, Panelo said.

Duterte acknowledged the support given to him by the Yanson family during the 2016 elections, adding that he hoped Olivia and her children would resolve their differences.

The President also expressed his wishes for Olivia’s good health as she continues to carry out her charity work and medical missions.

“Sa aming mga Bisaya malaking bagay ang utang na loob. Malaki ang utang na loob ko kay OVY,” Duterte said in his remarks, referring to Olivia.

The President has been a frequent visitor of the Yansons and had attended Olivia’s previous birthday celebrations.

The family is fighting for control of the Yanson Group of Bus Companies, which has more than 4,000 buses in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Olivia sided with her younger children Leo Rey and Ginette. Her four other children – Ricardo Jr., Roy, Ma. Lourdes Celina and Emily – are with the other group.

Both groups conducted their separate annual shareholders’ meetings and elected their own set of board directors and officers last month.

Olivia was reappointed treasurer and corporate secretary and Leo as president of the company by her group.

The other group designated Ma. Lourdes Celina as president, Roy as vice president for operations, Ricardo Jr. as secretary and Emily as treasurer.