Thursday, June 15, 2006
Peñaflorida: Villar for President?
By Jobert Penaflorida
On the Spot!
EARLIER last week, I was thinking of writing a follow-up to my “Mano-A-Mano” article, this time featuring the comments emailed to me by our many readers, both here and abroad. Indeed, the forthcoming July 2 boxing bout of Manny Pacquiao and Oscar Larios in Manila has drawn mixed reactions. But the developments last Thursday prompted me to focus on the other Manny who is just as equally popular as Pacman himself and whose political punches have proved to be calculated yet powerful and effective -- Senator Manny Villar.
Just when everyone thought that Senator Frankin Drilon would keep his reign, Senator Villar popped up the winning numbers last Thursday, right on the last day before Congress adjourned. Thus, save for the formal installation when Congress reopens in July, Senator Villar is now the new President of the Senate.
Indeed, it has been one success story after another for this man whose humble beginnings did not discourage him from pursuing and achieving success. He proudly claims to be a product and a living example of “Sipag at Tiyaga” (hardwork and persistence). He started his fruitful journey towards entrepreneurship at a young age of 9, selling fish and shrimps at Divisoria, to send himself to school. He continued to be a working student until he finished his accountancy course at UP Diliman.
Today, at 55 years old, Manny Villar is the richest public official in the land, with a breathtaking total assets amounting to P760 Million, without any liability, and holds the third most powerful position in the land.
Last Friday, I had an exclusive and live interview with Senator Villar over TV Patrol Iloilo. I believe that among the reasons why he agreed, with no prepared questions, was the fact that he takes pride in being an Ilonggo. While he may have been raised in Manila and is not able to speak the local dialect as fellow Ilonggo senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Franklin Drilon and Mar Roxas, Senator Villar is a GI or a Genuine Ilonggo.
His father, Manuel Montalban Villar Sr., hailed from Cabatuan, Iloilo. Thus, his election as Senate President is another source of pride for fellow Ilonggos. In fact, this is one succession issue in the Senate leadership which can be considered as a win-win situation for Iloilo, what with both Ilonggo Senators Drilon and Villar as outgoing and incoming presidents, respectively.
During our brief interview, Senator Villar assured the public that the Senate will remain independent, objective and hardworking under his watch. As a real gentleman, he also expressed kind words and appreciation to his predecessor.
But while Manny Villar may be the most popular, he is not the first Villar that I did an exclusive with. His youngest child and only daughter, Camille, who is the reigning Jaro Fiesta Queen, was gracious enough to grant me a personal one-on-one interview prior to her coronation last February.
I must admit that I was impressed, not only by her beauty and brains (a senior dean’s lister at the Ateneo) and even by her budding entrepreneurial skills (at the age of 20), but, more importantly, by her humility and simplicity. Off cam, Camille was not the typical spoiled daughter of a political big shot, like the many others we know without naming names. In contrast, she was kind and down-to-earth and was even candid enough to admit that her hands are cold as she was camera-shy. Camille, certainly, can be a better first daughter. Which brings the question: If Senator Villar is a good father; can he also be a good president?
The foregoing question again resurfaced when I also had the chance for an almost an hour-private talk with Congresswoman Cynthia Villar, Manny’s better half. Mrs. Villar is an achiever in her own right. Now in her second term representing Las Pinas, she is also the President of the Lady Legislator’s League. A CPA and an MBA graduate from New York University, she successfully propelled Capitol Bank to become one of the top private development banks in the country.
But would you believe that all throughout our talk, the contents of which would remain confidential, she never took any personal credit or narrated any of her personal achievements? It was all about Manny. She glowingly and lovingly shared anecdotes about her man -- his humble beginnings, his principles, and his success stories. When I went home that night, I even kidded my wife whether she, too, is just as “star-struck” about me as Mrs. Villar was about her husband.
Seriously, I found inspiration and hope in that privileged discussion. Here is a couple that has remained grounded despite their conjugal power, fame, money and influence. Had I not known Mrs. Villar to be the other half of one of the richest couples in the Philippines, I would have taken her for an ordinary but proud housewife who has remained simple, inside and out. An ideal First Lady?
But who would not be proud of Manny Villar? From an initial capital of P10,000 in 1975 for his sand and gravel business, he has built over 100,000 homes (and still growing) for middle class-Filipino families and has earned a niche in business history as, perhaps, the most successful Philippine realtor and developer.
Manny went into politics with his own hard-earned money. Thus, I would like to believe that making more money out of politics should no longer be in his agenda.
We have tried an economist for president, after the failed leaderships of several bar topnotchers before her. But, to this day, many still believe that the Filipino people actually dumped her for an actor as she, too, proved to be a major disappointment. As an aspiring entrepreneur myself, I see no harm in trying out a tried-and-tested entrepreneur, who has proved himself competent and capable in building a business empire from scratch, to be the next leader of the land.
From Congressman to Speaker of the House. From Senator to Senate President. Manny Villar for President?
For comments or reactions, email at attyjobertpenaflorida@yahoo.com
(June 15, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
