Biz Buzz: Borjer’ is back

Wack Wack Golf and Country Club is back in the news, but this time, for some not-too-controversial events.

We learned recently that the exclusive club elected a new set of directors and officers just late last month. And surprise, surprise. Former club president Benjamin Abalos Sr.—popular for his delicious “borjers”—is back at the helm of the club after an eventful reign by the outgoing president, Philip Ella Juico.

Abalos led the winning directors receiving 792 votes, tying with Sen. JV Ejercito. Juico—under whose administration that infamous run-in with Local Governments Secretary Mar Roxas happened—came in third with 764 votes on the directors’ roll.

Also elected directors were Lawrence Tan, stockbroker Eddie Gobing, Tommy Tan, Federico Campos III, Joseph Tan and Ricardo Guevara.

However, an unsigned statement about the election results seen by Biz Buzz hinted that all was not well even after the change of command at the golf club. In particular, the statement continued to raise questions about how the club’s funds were managed by the previous leadership.

Wait, did we say this piece of news was not controversial? Now we’re not too sure. Abangan. Daxim L. Lucas

Green Apple

If Green Archers start patronizing more Apple consumer electronic products, it must be because Apple retailer and support provider Power Mac Center is setting up its first-ever campus store at De La Salle University’s campus on Taft, Manila.

DLSU has sent an advisory to its academic community about a deal struck with Power Mac Center to open a pioneering campus store in Manila, noted to be in line with the concerted effort to make the university’s services more responsive to the needs of today’s learners.

“More specifically, the university endeavors to create a support system for the technological needs of our young students and innovators,” DLSU said.

In addition to the latest Apple product offerings, Power Mac Center will also provide after sales service and Apple software training sessions onsite.

The campus store is expected to open this August. Doris C. Dumlao

Socialite intervention

The Court of Appeals has recently ruled on the ownership row of a posh condominium in Makati City between a Filipino firm and a Korean-led company.

The Court of Appeals upheld the ownership of the Filipino group based on the evidence presented. As a result of the resolution, a peaceful takeover was effected and the Filipino firm is now in control of the condominium.

But what is this we heard that that Korean group is still hell-bent on regaining control of the condominium? What they could not do through the courts and the rule of law, they are allegedly trying to do so through manipulation and influence-peddling.

And the Korean group has reportedly asked a lawmaker-socialite to intercede on its behalf. We heard from our reliable sources that this lawmaker-socialite is trying to sway the court to overturn its decision to award the ownership to the Filipino group and instead give it to the Koreans.

Isn’t it illegal and unethical for a government official of her stature? Indeed, one has to ask what her business is interfering in a case, especially when it is already with the courts. Graft, maybe? Daxim L. Lucas

New MB men

It came about three weeks late, but we understand that President Aquino has finally appointed two new members to the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Set to fill the vacancy created by the end of Juan de Zuñiga’s 54-day term (and that of former MB member Ignacio Bunye) is… Zuñiga himself.

The former BSP deputy governor and chief legal counsel received a well-deserved six-year term courtesy of President Aquino. Zuñiga was instrumental in stopping the P14-billion Legacy scam.

The second MB appointee is Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. president Valentin Araneta, who will fill the slot vacated by former banker Peter Favila.

Araneta is believed to enjoy the support of Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima. The finance chief is Araneta’s boss, since the DOF head automatically serves as the chair of the PDIC. Daxim L. Lucas

E-mail us at [email protected]. Get business alerts and a preview of Biz Buzz the evening before it comes out. Text ON INQ BUSINESS to 4467 (P2.50/alert).