Cito Lorenzo: Odd Man Out

By Mariano A. Santos
PINOY Editor/Publisher

Luis “Cito” Lorenzo is perceived as a key in unlocking a huge anomaly under Gloria M. Arroyo’s regime. He went to the US in 2005 when he was summoned in his capacity as former agriculture secretary by the Philippine Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chaired by then Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr.During the presidential campaign of 2004, Mr. Lorenzo authorized his undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante to release the P728-million fertilizer fund.  Investigative reporters found out that the money was diverted to the reelection campaign of Gloria M. Arroyo. The US-donated funds was not used to enrich the farm lands.

Mr. Bolante also escaped but was arrested in Los Angeles by virtue of Sen. Magsaysay’s arrest order.  He was jailed in Kenosha, Wisconsin for almost three years and was subsequently deported in 2008 when he was compelled to testify before the Senate.  Again, Mr. Bolante maintained his and that of his president’s innocence.

Cito Lorenzo was not incarcerated. He lived in the DC area and became active in the Gawad Kalinga (GK). In the fall of 2005, he was at the Hyatt O’Hare for a GK event.  A son of a rich plantation owner in Mindanao, their family fortune is mainly in agri-business. He would ignore my request for a comment.  He pretty much avoided the press.

Curt and arrogant
But in a GK forum the following day, it was reported that he was hounded by activists who were forcing him to answer questions in what was already known as the big fertilizer scam.  I wrote about the incident and I was told by a GK partner that Mr. Lorenzo was pissed about my story.  The next time I would see and hear from him was in June of 2009 when he was one of the speakers at the GK Summit in Boston. His speech sounded contrite and humble.

I would see him a couple more times in a private hosting of area doctors who were promoting the GK work. He was the opposite of the newly-exiled millionaire four years earlier—when he was curt and arrogant.  This time, he would be a picture of guy who truly discovered the meaning of serving the people.  The next that I would hear about him would be in the last month’s newscasts.

P-Noy Encounter
He created a stir in the new Aquino administration when he shook hands with P-Noy on July 2 at the birthday party of Boy Montelibano, an Inquirer columnist and a GK supporter.  The Manila press was agog about the chance encounter.  Cito Lorenzo’s brother was reported to have contributed P20 million to the campaign of P-Noy.  Fear was that the new president has compromised his promises of reform.

Credit P-Noy for his quick response to the reporters’ queries.  P-noy said that Cito Lorenzo would not be treated differently from any other fugitives. His culpability in the fertilizer scandal will be tried and he would possibly be asked to serve as the missing link in bringing GMA to justice in this particular case.

The predicament of Cito Lorenzo is an excellent example of individuals who are doing very well in the private sector and are courted to serve in government for a much lesser financial gain.  This was the lament of P-Noy in answering the critics who brought up the issue of three Abads who were appointed by P-Noy in key positions.  The Abads are more than qualified and would earned much more if they shun public service.

Cito Lorenzo resigned after the 2004 elections. Some surmised that he could not stomach the corruption in the GMA regime.  He was caught in the web of intrigues and his life was allegedly threatened if he went home from the US.  The left hated him in their belief that he betrayed the poor farmers who needed the fertilizer to increase their farms’ productivity.  The GMA government knew he was key to its prosecution, so it has motive to get rid of him.

Cito Lorenzo became an exile.  For all his wealth he would live the life of an expat—uprooted and, perhaps, cursing his fate.  Odd man out, he was. Now that he is home, Cito Lorenzo might yet find redemption.

PIWC Postscripts
For all the money it has raised, the Philippine Independence Week Committee members are an unhappy lot lately.  The PIWC brought in 800 attendees to its annual ball and got the bragging rights as the top drawer among the four independence committees that put out such fundraising activities.

Alas, money can also bring a lot of miseries.  PIWC members are gnashing their teeth in the aftermath of their event. A major embarrassment is the complaint of Eden Olarte, the 2010 Mrs. Philippines whose efforts filled up 26 tables during the June 12 dinner-ball.  She also solicited most of the ads of its thick and lucrative souvenir program.

Ms. Olarte received support from the community for her reign as Mrs. Philippines on the condition that one of the main beneficiaries of this year’s fundraiser is, as usual, the Philippine American Social Services (PASS) which look after the welfare of Filipino American seniors in the Chicago area. PIWC mainstays Dr. and Mrs Virgilio Jonson, Max Norte,  Art Dilay—among others—are founders and supporters of PASS.  To the surprise of these persons and of Ms. Olarte, Ligaya “Joy” Manuel, the 2010 PIWC chair declared that the proceeds of this year’s PIWC will mainly go to her planned medical mission in her hometown in Bulacan.

Though no one is opposed to her project, many who had stayed with her during the planning and implementation of this year’s celebration appealed to her sense of fairness in sharing the proceeds to other worthy community projects in which PIWC members are committed.  It is redundant to say that that the PIWC is a collective endeavor.  It is a civic exercise for volunteers working together for a common good.  It should never be an occasion for egotistical grandstanding and selfish maneuvering that turn off people of goodwill.

Ms. Manuel suddenly became exclusionary in her meetings. Imagine Max Norte, a long PIWC stalwart,  being shut out from a post-celebration meeting.  But to no one’s surprise, even her “insiders” went ballistic. The Wee Sits, for instance, stood their grounds in their criticism of recommending Ms. Manuel’s sister, Dalisay “Dely” Villalon, to be Mayor Richard Daley’s awardee during the Mayor’s Philippine Independence reception.

While the Wee Sit’s complaint was based on “delicadeza” or conflict of interest, I am quite sure if Ms. Villalon was vetted, an award will not due her from the Mayor.  Mr. Daley is a great admirer of President Obama’s leadership and character.  Ms. Villalon equates President Obama with the devil that will bring us the end of days.  Just check her toxic e-mails that stir up disinformation and hatred on the web.

These are teachable moments indeed for the PIWC.  Be sure to vet the leaders you elevate to position of great responsibilities.  The PIWC chairperson represents the vision and the understanding of a community of its freedom and heritage. The PIWC has gone through many challenges through the years.  It is disappointing that it is still experiencing this type of problems.

“Miss Manners”

Its ground rules should have been set and refined by this time. Money is a major irritant in any organization.  It is important that accountability should be spelled out very clearly.  I remember the time in 1997 when the muscle boys of then PIWC chair Met Castelo literally brought me out of the meeting room  at Rizal Center because I inquired if Mr. Castelo’s $7500 contribution to then presidential candidate Joseph Estrada campaign chest coming from the PIWC funds was proper and not in violation of the group’s charter.

This incident is in answer to a PIWC leader’s complaint of politicizing the PIWC.  Ms Manuel invited only Republican office-seekers in the affair.  In 2004, I suggested to the PIWC that we invite then senatorial candidate Obama who was supporting the WWII vets to be the guest speaker. Person in charge refused. Yes, it would have been fair indeed if Mr. Castelo also contributed to Erap’s opponents.  At least, when karma hit Erap in 2001, the PIWC didn’t feel like a heel.
Another smart-mouth commented that it was to be expected that Illinois State Senator Dan Rutherford would admonish diners at the PIWC June 12 dinner dance to “stop talking” so he can deliver his speech. After all, he said,  in every meeting of the group prior to their big night, everyone talks at the same time. Perhaps, next time around, the PIWC should invite “Miss Manners” to give lessons on basic etiquette.

Speaking of lessons, another observer is bothered by the PIWC emcee’s joke about Jonah and the big fish in the Bible. He recalled for me that the jokester referred to the story as a “parable” which was a favorite tool of Jesus Christ to put across his spiritual messages—such as the Parable of the Prodigal Son or the Parable of the Sower.  Just like Aesop’s Fables—moral lessons can be gleaned from parables but they not facts as is the story of Jonah being swallowed by the big fish and being delivered to Niniveh almost against his will.  Biblically, Jonah’s story is truly God-inspired, thus true.
Is it a big deal?  “You bet it is!,” says the observer.  “The emcee has been a principal to various Catholic schools and she should know better,” he added.

“Oh, are there any other things that bother you?” I teasingly asked.

“Yes, those Catholic Masses during independence picnics are completely out of order. Believers should worship to their respective churches  or temples or mosques–before they go picnicking.  Independence Day is a secular event that includes people of all faiths,” he pontificated.
Hmm, that’s quite stiff, but a smart observation from one who knows much about Jonah.  So PIWC and the likes, please take note. •