BIZ BUZZ: Sobrepeña eyes deal with Sta. Lucia group

BIZ BUZZ: Sobrepeña eyes deal with Sta. Lucia group

/ 02:10 AM February 04, 2025

If there is one trait that defines Robert John Sobrepeña, it’s that he is not the type to just walk off into the sunset.

On the contrary, he is constantly on the lookout for the next best deal, as observers put it.

That is perhaps why he and his officials were seen over the weekend doing the rounds at Pinewoods in Baguio City and in animated discussions with some members of the Camp John Hay Golf Club, including former Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan.

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READ: Sobrepeña group not waving white flag

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Biz Buzz sources privy to the discussions said that Sobrepeña was looking to forge a partnership that will in a nutshell allow Camp John Hay Golf Club members to enjoy privileges at Pinewoods, the only Par 72-rated golf course in Baguio City.

Pinewoods, one of the three golf courses in Baguio City, boasts magnificent mountain views and wide-open areas and a popular restaurant, Manduto Cafe and Restaurant.

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Pinewoods opened in 2014 and is one of the 11 golf clubs developed by Sta. Lucia Realty.

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Incidentally, Sobrepeña is also looking to have golf course maintenance equipment and some 60 golf carts pulled out of Camp John Hay to be used at Pinewoods.

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The Sobrepeña group is pursuing the deal after being booted out with finality from Camp John Hay, following the Supreme Court decision that reverted ownership to the state-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

Not everybody, however, is happy about the possibility that the Sobrepeña group will have a new home at Pinewoods.

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One reason is that the Sta. Lucia’s group might get embroiled in the legal wranglings that continue to hound the controversy-ridden Camp John Hay deal.

At the same time, some members of Camp John Hay were left more concerned about the fate of their shares and the dues that had already been paid to the Sobrepeña group before the BCDA takeover.

Despite these uncertainties, discussions with Sta. Lucia will apparently continue.

Will they end up in a way that will make Sobrepeña happy again after that heavy loss delivered by the Supreme Court? Abangan! — Tina Arceo-Dumlao

Rethinking “Konektadong Pinoy” bill

The umbrella organization of telecommunication companies in the country has some reservations over the passage of the “Konektadong Pinoy” bill, which seeks to provide Filipinos with affordable internet access by encouraging the entry of more industry players who can develop critical infrastructures across the country.

The Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO), whose members include industry leaders PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc., said this bill could hinder fair competition and even put national security at risk.

“The bill’s exemption of data transmission providers from securing a congressional franchise and a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity creates an unequal regulatory environment, violating the principle of fair competition,” it said.

The exemption could also eliminate “crucial safeguards that protect the public interest by ensuring that telecommunications providers meet specific standards and obligations in order to provide quality and reliable services,” PCTO added.

The group also warned against the “explosion of cybersecurity incidents that threaten national security” given the “relaxation of regulatory scrutiny” on the part of data transmission providers.

Speaking of competition, PCTO also said that new entrants should focus on developing the infrastructure in remote areas to avoid the concentration of redundant facilities in developed locations.

“Data transmission providers should be required to build in GIDAs (geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas) instead of adding redundant builds in areas where connectivity is already strong. Such provision must be added to the bill to realize the spirit and intent of ‘Konektadong Pinoy,’ which is to achieve connectivity for all,” PCTO stressed. — Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

Red flag for ARTA

The government’s anti-red tape body is set to lose as much as half of its contractual employees in the coming months, leaving it with substantially less manpower to fulfill its mandate of curbing unnecessary delays in the public sector.

An insider at the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) told Biz Buzz that the layoffs are expected to happen in May. This was purportedly due to the lower budget that they received this year.

“We cannot sustain the current number of (contract of service) employees,” said the insider.

The insider added that the Commission on Audit (COA) has also flagged them for a supposedly low budget utilization rate of 85 percent, below the “acceptable” 90s level.

This, the insider said, supposedly affected the assessment of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on how much funding ARTA should get this year.

Based on budget documents posted on the DBM’s website, ARTA’s funding for fiscal year 2025 was reduced by 21.7 percent to P383.63 million from P490 million last year. — Alden M. Monzon

US-PH society sets meet on Trump impact

Everyone has been on edge since US President Donald Trump declared victory in November, and even more so when he took his oath last month, officially commencing his second term.

While the Philippines remains a strong US ally, it’s definitely not exempt from pressure.

As such, much planning is needed to ensure smooth relations amid Trump’s presidency that’s already riddled with trade wars.

READ: Trump’s proposed universal tariffs cast uncertainty on PH’s exports

On Feb. 10 to 11, the US-Philippines Society will convene in Manila to review regional trends, examine Trump’s policies and their impact, and explore “win-win trade and investment initiatives” between the two nations, among others.

Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, chair of the country’s oldest conglomerate and co-chair of the US-Philippines Society, will host the meeting.

New members—including business, professional, and civic leaders—will be onboarded during the two-day occasion.

Leading the US delegation is cochair and Ambassador John D. Negroponte.

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We hope the sessions result in a win for both Manila and Washington. — Meg J. Adonis

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