CONTRIBUTORS’S
NOTE: We are back! After our last post “A
Quick Guide to the Rumors inside SMART”
(http://smartbehindthescenes.blogspot.com/2015/03/a-quick-guide-to-rumors-inside-smart.html), we were overwhelmed by the traffic it
generated. Honestly, we became afraid and feared for our job security here (not
that we have one anyway). We even contemplated of shutting down this blog site
after it was cited in Philippine Daily Inquireronline last April 10 in their BizBuzz column but it
mysteriously disappeared after (note: the article about it is now gone - http://business.inquirer.net/189965/biz-buzz-management-shakeup).But after a secret meeting with all the
contributors composing of existing and former employees of Smart (some were
offered the walking papers last year), we decided to continue our crusade for
the love of Smart. We want the old glory
of our beloved company restored. We will be the eyes, ears and voice of all the
employees who are loyal and whose family livelihood relies on the well-being of
the company. And so here is another edition of Smart Behind the Scenes.
Perhaps many
of you were surprised when our beloved Chairperson MVP announced the recent
organizational movement. Contrary to the rumors circulated for the past months,
Charles A. Lim or CAL as we call him is still part of the PLDT organization.
The announcement killed all the rumors about CAL’s supposedly imminent exodus.
But it only gave birth to a new series of rumors on why he is still here which
we all gathered and compiled to share it with you.
Here are the TOP 4 Rumors Why CAL Is Still
Here:
NUMBER 4: CAL overpriced himself to SMC.
According to
a very reliable source, there was indeed an offer from the camp of Ramon Ang to
bring in CAL to head the upcoming third player telco in the country. However,
our sources revealed that he asked too much. When CAL was offered to lead Sun
back in the day, JG Summit big boss James Go offered him a fortune like
international scholarships for his children in the country of their choice, a
luxury car, at least a 7-figure monthly salary excluding bonuses and a lot
more. How much did he ask? Let’s just
say it’s at least double than what he is getting now. The SMC group found his
asking price ridiculous and drop the idea altogether.
NUMBER 3:
James Go to the Rescue.
After the
dismal performance of Smart for several consecutive quarters, everyone knew
that he was on his way out and it was only a matter of time. But CAL they say
has an ace up his sleeve and that is his patron, James Go, Chairman of JG Summit
and PLDT Board Member. Rumor has it that because of CAL’s sterling performance
as business unit head of Sun Cellular, Mr. James has CAL’s back. We heard that it was Mr. James who endorsed
CAL to MVP to head both Smart and Sun in 2013 to replace Noel Lorenzana. Many believed that he is again responsible
why CAL is still with PLDT today.
NUMBER 2: We pre-empted his departure! It’s our FAULT!!!
Before we
published our last blog post, many of us here were certain that CAL was already
on his way out. Everyone in Smart Tower
was hopeful and excited that justice can be attained here against his
Machiavellian rule. We too got excited
and we published “A Quick Guide to the Rumors inside SMART”. After a few weeks, this was featured in BizBuzz
column in Philippine Daily Inquirer online where San Miguel executives denied
that they were in talks with CAL and where Boss Poly disputed all rumors
written in our blog. Perhaps management
changed their mind to prove this blog wrong. Funny, the portion about
management shake-up that cited this blog vanished (good thing we have a
screenshot, see below). You have to
hand it to our Public Affairs team, they know how to put out a fire. But this
also reflects negatively on the business editorial of PDI for succumbing to
pressure by removing online the said published material. They even forgot to remove the tags of
Napoleon Nazareno, Manuel V. Pangalinan, Sun Cellular, and PLDT. This only
strengthens our credibility and our resolve to continue this blog. #WeAreNotAfraid
NUMBER
1: The Ateneo-Basketball Connection
From
being the head of individual wireless business for Smart and Sun, CAL now
reports directly to MVP as the head of wireless strategic investments and
acquisition group. Our chairman was quoted that CAL will be with him on a
“secret mission”. You have to give it to
CAL, he knows how to save his ass. Good thing he was a former Ateneo Blue Eagle
Basketball player. Go figure!
