MVP shuns politics

MANILA, Philippines – Don’t expect businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan to join politics.

Responding to the call of an analyst for him to make good use of his “technocratic skills” and to join the 2016 presidential elections, Pangilinan said he has made up his mind he will not run for any government position.

“There is no political blood that runs through my veins. I believe I can serve our people better some other way,” he told reporters via a text message on Tuesday, October 15.

Elections, he said, “provide us yet again a rare opportunity to define the country’s long-term economic and social priorities, and form a broad consensus around them.” He stressed that his role as a businessman is enough to help the country’s economy to grow, though government’s assistance is key.

He was being asked to react to a statement made by political analyst Antonio Gatmaitan in a recent forum on the 2016 presidential polls organized by the Center for Philippine Futuristics Studies and Management Inc.

Gatmaitan, the executive director of the Political Economic Applied Research (PEAR) Foundation, said at the forum that Pangilinan “could bring his technocratic skills to address the complicated economic issues that will confront the nation and help address a few selective social issues.”

This is not the first time Pangilinan’s name was floated as a presidential candidate. He also shunned similar calls in previous national polls.

He is considered one of the most powerful men in the country since he is at the helm of companies that are leaders in industries considered crucial to the Philippine economy.

He sits as chairman of the country’s biggest telecommunications group (Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.), infrastructure giant Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), the biggest power player (Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the biggest gold producer (Philex Mining Corp.), the largest hospital chain, as well as Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., and Maynilad Water Services Inc.

His business group also has stakes in media (TV5), information and communications technology and various toll roads, among others.

“Investments in infrastructure, such as power plants, toll roads, seaports and airports are also vital in order to lower the cost of domestic production,” he said. His group is vying for key infrastructure projects the government is bidding out, including the Cebu International Airport and Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3).

“The private sector cannot operate on its own. It must seek government help and assistance. In infrastructure, public/private sector partnership will be critical – the private sector being the moving force and government providing the relevant incentives, support and enabling regulatory framework.” – Rappler.com