Biz Buzz: The ‘boy’ is back
Telco veteran Anastacio “Boy” Martirez has made his comeback to the PLDT Group—after nearly two decades—as the new chief operating officer of Smart Communications Inc., sources told Biz Buzz.
He started work just this Monday, we heard. He previously served as personal communications and mobile services division head for Smart before he left following a management feud.
Smart Padala, or the first ever text-based money remittance, was one of the groundbreaking products the telco player offered during his time.
While this is an exciting development for PLDT, others might still wonder when tycoon Manuel Pangilinan will name his successor at the group.
To recall, former top executive Al Panlilio vacated his post last year—and the billionaire has taken over since. Now, the question is: When will Pangilinan name a new CEO for PLDT? Will he or she also be a familiar name? Let’s see! —Tyrone Jasper C. Piad
Pascual joins BDO
Many have been wondering what Alfredo Pascual’s life would be like after leaving his post as head of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Well, exactly a month after his resignation became effective, Sy family-led BDO Unibank Inc. gave us an answer. In a stock exchange filing on Monday, BDO announced that Pascual has joined the country’s largest bank as an independent director.
The 76-year-old Pascual was the third Cabinet official under President Marcos to make his exit this year, with speculations about his resignation beginning as early as December 2023.
Pascual said in a previous statement that he had opted to leave the DTI to return to the private sector, and described his brief stint as trade secretary as “one of the most fulfilling experiences” in his life.
Pascual was also the president of the University of the Philippines and the Management Association of the Philippines before testing the waters of government life.
When he announced his sudden resignation, Pascual said his return to the private sector would also allow him to spend more time with his family. —MEG J. ADONIS
That’s not Razon … nor Inquirer.net
One more time with feeling. “News reports” you may have been seeing about the “Central Bank of the Philippines” supposedly suing billionaire Enrique Razon Jr. for “statements he made on live television” are completely false.
International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), one of Razon’s main business ventures, was quick to dispel rumors on Monday.
“We wish to inform the public that Mr. Razon has no pending civil or criminal cases before any Philippine court or government agency,” ICTSI said in a statement.
What probably made the post believable was the fact that (1) the sketchy website used Inquirer.net’s interface and (2) it was promoted via sponsored posts on Facebook and Instagram.
ICTSI went on to urge the public to rely only on official information and verified sources for news.
Here’s actual and verified information: Razon, the richest individual in the country, is not the first victim of this scheme. This was the same formula used to discredit Lance Gokongwei, president and CEO of diversified conglomerate JG Summit Holdings Inc., a few months ago.
It was made to look as though Gokongwei said some damning things “in an interview,” which the Gokongwei Group also denied. Once again, always take a good look at the links of whatever article you’re clicking. —MEG J. ADONIS
