TOP 4 RUMORS WHY CHARLES LIM IS STILL HERE

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!