RSA for president

VIRTUAL REALITY

- TONY LOPEZ

I got a call and an email yesterday morning from Ramon S. Ang, the chair and CEO of the Philippines’ largest company, San Miguel Corporation. He wanted to stress one message ~ he is not running for president, of the Philippines. No politics for him. Only nation building.

Reports have circulated online in the mainstream media that a civilian-military group being formed wants to invite RSA to be the caretaker president in a major reset of the Philippine government.

Business and people in general are outraged by recent revelations of massive corruption, the looting of over P1 trillion in taxpayers’ money, money parked under the Department of Public Works and Highways intended for flood control in the past three years, 2022-2025. The money was stolen systematically by a syndicate of criminals composed of senators and congressmen, engineers and other officials (including cashiers) of the DPWH and a cabal of corrupt contractors numbering not more than 20.

People have never been so angry. They want accountability. They want life imprisonment, if not death, to the floodgate (as in flood control scandal a la Watergate) perpetrators. And yes, certain high officials must be ousted, through legal or extra-constitutional means. Hence, the talks of a caretaker government. Suddenly, the nation is in search for leaders. Like RSA. Here is RSA’s response:

“I have been getting many messages today, and I also saw the story that has been circulating. Let me put things to rest: I am not entering politics. “Most people know me as someone who works quietly in business, building projects, fixing what I can and supporting government and communities. That is where I believe I can contribute the most, and that is where I intend to stay.