SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Locators wants president-elect Benigno Aquino III to make Subic Bay as the model for his campaign slogan of ending corruption in government to ease the nation’s poverty condition.
They are also giving the new elected president a “free hand and all out support” in choosing the new officials.
”Graft and corruption also exists here but not comparable to other areas. I am hoping that it can be totally eliminated here,” Danny Piano, president of the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce said Monday.
The SBFCC is the largest and most influential business group inside the 67,000 hectare Freeport. As of February this year, some 1,258 companies call the Freeport their home.
“The ease of making SBMA as a model of a corruption free government agency is the reason why we are giving him a free hand,” Piano adds.
But Aquino, whose campaign promise of more transparency, better government service and curbing corruption, may be challenged by a full plate of controversial projects beginning with the US$130 million Harbor Center project and a mall project of Ayala Land.
And the businessmen know that a smooth and orderly transition is a crucial ingredient to the formula.
“It is tough to undergo a change of leadership, but it is natural. We will respect who the national government will appoint here,” he said.
In its 18-year history, the Freeport authority has had two transition periods. The first, being the most acrimonious and violent, was in 1998.
Hundreds were hurt when then SBMA chairman Richard Gordon, an appointee of outgoing president Fidel Ramos, refused to recognize then Congressman Felicito Payumo, the appointee of newly elected President Joseph Estrada.
After a two month stand off, the Supreme Court, voting 13-0, said that Gordon’s new appointment was only for the remainder of Pres. Ramos’ term and that the appointment to the post was ‘co-terminus with the appointing authority.
“Many of the stakeholders of the Freeport then took a stand for Gordon or for Payumo. It hurt Subic Bay really bad, both economically and as a business location,” said Ed De Guzman, a labor activist and an Aquino supporter.
“I have no doubt that we can easily do it here. But President Noynoy must tap a new face and shield him or her from politics if he wants to succeed,” De Guzman said.
He added the people who are used to doing things the right way and who understand that we need to compete with the world is an important consideration.
“The sooner Subic Bay is corruption free, the sooner our businessmen and workers will feel the economic impact of an Aquino presidency,” said De Guzman.
They are also giving the new elected president a “free hand and all out support” in choosing the new officials.
”Graft and corruption also exists here but not comparable to other areas. I am hoping that it can be totally eliminated here,” Danny Piano, president of the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce said Monday.
The SBFCC is the largest and most influential business group inside the 67,000 hectare Freeport. As of February this year, some 1,258 companies call the Freeport their home.
“The ease of making SBMA as a model of a corruption free government agency is the reason why we are giving him a free hand,” Piano adds.
But Aquino, whose campaign promise of more transparency, better government service and curbing corruption, may be challenged by a full plate of controversial projects beginning with the US$130 million Harbor Center project and a mall project of Ayala Land.
And the businessmen know that a smooth and orderly transition is a crucial ingredient to the formula.
“It is tough to undergo a change of leadership, but it is natural. We will respect who the national government will appoint here,” he said.
In its 18-year history, the Freeport authority has had two transition periods. The first, being the most acrimonious and violent, was in 1998.
Hundreds were hurt when then SBMA chairman Richard Gordon, an appointee of outgoing president Fidel Ramos, refused to recognize then Congressman Felicito Payumo, the appointee of newly elected President Joseph Estrada.
After a two month stand off, the Supreme Court, voting 13-0, said that Gordon’s new appointment was only for the remainder of Pres. Ramos’ term and that the appointment to the post was ‘co-terminus with the appointing authority.
“Many of the stakeholders of the Freeport then took a stand for Gordon or for Payumo. It hurt Subic Bay really bad, both economically and as a business location,” said Ed De Guzman, a labor activist and an Aquino supporter.
“I have no doubt that we can easily do it here. But President Noynoy must tap a new face and shield him or her from politics if he wants to succeed,” De Guzman said.
He added the people who are used to doing things the right way and who understand that we need to compete with the world is an important consideration.
“The sooner Subic Bay is corruption free, the sooner our businessmen and workers will feel the economic impact of an Aquino presidency,” said De Guzman.
