BIZ BUZZ: Love hurts

Ah, what love can do: make highly respected individuals do crazy things.

That’s what some disgruntled public servants are telling Biz Buzz, to try and explain why this supposedly upright and honorable top government official has chosen to use his considerable influence to give his special someone cushy positions.

It’s one thing if the paramour is unquestionably qualified for these posts in high-level local and international institutions.

It is quite another, however, if the object of his affection is not, especially as other more senior and eminently more qualified individuals had to be eased out in the process.

Despite widespread misgivings, it looks like change is still coming to this regional institution, thanks to this top government executive’s flexing of his well-connected muscles.

Now who is this government official, you ask? Here’s a clue: his name has a lot of vowels. —Tina Arceo-Dumlao

A ‘win’ in US-China trade war

With the United States and China reigniting their trade war, the global supply chain may deal with some constraints, especially with the imposition of higher tariffs.

But this could also provide growth opportunities for local exporters, according to D&L Industries president and CEO Alvin Lao.

“In our view, the apparent trade tensions between the US and China present opportunities for companies like us to supply to companies who cannot source from either the US or China,” Lao said.

He said that the new Batangas plant of D&L—which manufactures chemicals, plastics, and consumer products, among others—can support their capacity to serve more clients overseas.

“This puts us in a prime position to capture opportunities arising from the evolving international trade environment,” Lao said.

About 31 percent of D&L’s total sales come from its export business. —Tyrone Jasper C. Piad