I didn’t want to name names before but since Bilyonaryo.com has already named him, might as well…
First off, he was the DoTr secretary who kept rejecting the privatization proposals of NAIA. Several times. He allegedly also has a big stake in the Bulacan Airport (according to rumors, Tugade allegedly has huge real estate investments around the area) that’s why the DoTr under his watch approved this proposed airport even though Finance Dept under Carlos Dominguez opposed it because it does not make sense at all. The TOR is unfavorable to the government. A source leaked to me the contents of the TOR, but I couldn’t write it because I had no proper angle for it in my publication. Dominguez then fed it to the rest of mainstream media.
I made noise when the DoTr prevented ALL mainstream media (was only open to select “friendly” media and Duterte bloggers) to attend a public Swiss auction for the Bulacan airport. Then Tugade’s attack dogs (i.e. trolls) came after me.
But then karma comes back biting you on your arse. This government later on rejected the application for PEZA accreditation of the real estate surrounding Bulacan Airport to be an economic zone i.e. prime industrial zone that is tax exempt and with other fiscal perks. Basically, this renders Bulacan Airport unviable for investors because the main money-making machine is not the airport operations itself but the real estate component of the airport and the surrounding areas.
Second, this Marcos administration had been wishy-washy with the appointment of the MIAA head. There was a bit of a power struggle there, with news reports saying that Tugade’s son had aimed for the MIAA position, but incumbent DoTr Sec Jimmy Bautista prevailed and had another person installed in MIAA. Now the Tugade son is at the Land Transportation Office, another fucked up office, very rich in corruption. See my public rants on social media and ABS-CBN interview about this.
Even if Jimmy Bautista already said that auction of NAIA is already set for 1Q23, here comes Finance Sec Diokno, pulling back again, saying no, it shouldn’t proceed (as I wrote in October after I interviewed him).
WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS?!
Jimmy Bautista, as the former Philippine Airlines CEO, knows the importance of NAIA and he was still its chief executive when PAL’s affiliate joined other local conglomerates to submit an unsolicited proposal for the redevelopment of NAIA. All the conglomerates’ businesses are in a precarious position if NAIA melts down. Bautista knows how fucked up that airport is. Now he has become the fall guy in this mess left by Tugade.
And the president of this country doesn’t fucking care. On the day Armageddon descended, he just made a vlog that he released to the delight of his minions. He is now making his way into China for some “work” and then off to Switzerland for the World Economic Forum, making this some kind of field trip.
And what do they aim for this year? To sleep some more.
WHAT THE FUCK?! They had been sleeping on the job since Day 1!
Why do I even bother?! This is such a toxic relationship, this one I have with this country.
Much to my dismay, I had to face the reality that I need to work today. I forced my brain to work. Well, half my brain did function. I had several calls today, including performance reviews of reporters, and tons of emails to deal with. One win for the day is that I secured the boss’ approval to bring my entire team to Singapore in April in time for our series of conferences. I just need the exact dates so we can book our tickets and hotels.
Damn, we’re too early for the Great Singapore Sale. Hahahaha! Oh well.
Just as well because it’s either I need to fly to HK later or somewhere else because all the APAC regional heads are going to have the annual meeting. I need proper spacing for the travels. I cannot travel in May because I’m moving houses.
I also told our MD today that nope, I’m staying put here in Manila next week since I don’t have much business in SG, but maybe we can work something out when I fly to HK
I need to force myself to write tomorrow. Then go to the diesel engine calibration shop because my car is spewing black smoke again. I can’t have my smoke emission testing with that kind of exhaust. Passing the emission test is crucial in renewing my car registration, which I should do again…So many adulting things I need to work on this month. Pffffffftttttt…
Meanwhile, a friend called me up early this evening again for career advice and to sum it up, I told her not to rush things because if she feels a tinge of misgiving and fear, then that opportunity is not for her. The right opportunity will just fall on to your lap and would feel bright and just right; it will not make you queasy just thinking about it. As we say in football training, keep your eye on the ball and not on the fancy footwork, because those are meant to distract you. That’s what we call “faking”. Told my friend that she should clear obligations with her previous employment (no lingering loose threads and whatnot) and not over-commit to the next one because her goal is to migrate to Australia. And she only has 3 years left before the door closes (age limit for application is 45 years old).
She said, my insight strengthened her gut feel not to accept the offer.
You’ll know it when the right one comes because it just feels right, I said.
We’re talking about jobs/consultancy work here, not love life.
As a side note, everyone is migrating. They must think I’m a loser for choosing to stay.
And this reel from Tarantadong Kalbo made me cry. The ugly cry. It hurts so much, deep down. This comic reel is probably the reason why I’m still here, suffering in this toxic relationship with the Philippines.