I FIND it extremely difficult to recall my nine years as a member of board of directors of Clark Development Corporation, without me shaking my head and at the same time sporting a smile. Up to this time, my mind is so crowded with all those beautiful memories I shared with my colleagues from both the board and the rank and file.
Now as an outsider looking in I can only profound a query why those smart, efficient and dedicated men and women who were happy working together left those stable and good paying jobs and navigate again in some fields which are somewhat unpredictable in this time of pandemic, the worst crisis everyone felt.
Noel F. Manankil a homegrown Angeles boy was the agency's chief financial officer first before he became president. After almost four years, he resigned few weeks ago and resulted into almost everyone including investors scratching their heads in disbelief and the common query. Why? Only weeks before his, Executive Vice President Eva Tejada, lawyer Pearl Mateo Sagmit, the head of the legal department and vice president of the engineering office submitted their resignation papers. They are all still young, energetic and still have that fire in their bellies to serve government. So what was their reason, the real and true reason why they resigned? Their lips are sealed and are keeping their peace about the real reason why they left. That's my suspicion. More questions about their resignations were repeatedly asked. No one will venture an answer. We can only surmise.
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The latest news leaking out from the headquarters of the freeport is that former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo maybe the one to occupy the vacated presidency is unverified news. My informant said it is most likely a member of the board, a former general might get the plum. It is for the taking if GMA will agree to be chairman of the board. By the way, the current chairman former Public Works and Department of Transportation Secretary Jose 'Ping' De Jesus is vacating his post by the end of the month, or earlier.
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Talking about former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo the talks around that she's interested to become CDC president is not true, according to my source. What my parrot told me was that she was offered the chairmanship and not the presidency. My other news about her was she might get another crack at the congressional race in the second district and relieving her son Mikey. To me this is good news because if she will represent us in the House of Representatives, the likelihood of her getting elected as speaker has high percentage. As an obedient son, I want to believe that Cong Mikey will yield.
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When she was the speaker of the House of Representatives, she made frequent visits to towns other than those in the second congressional district which she represents. She initiated the megalopolis plan for Pampanga. Invited known urban planner Felino "Jun" Palafox, Jr. to come to Pampanga to draw the plans. And business leaders seemingly are in accord with the megalopolis plan. That plan must not remain in the drawing board. It has to be implemented and there's a high probability if GMA will come out of retirement. She is still young in today's standard.
Look at United States president-elect Joe Biden. He is 78 and more than 70 million Americans elected him to govern the most powerful nation in the world.