Aquino lays out "4-Rights" principle to encourage more investments from Chinese businessmen
BEIJING, China — In an effort to ‘balance the equation’ in terms of investments between China and the Philippines, President Benigno S. Aquino III today wasted no time in encouraging several Chinese firms to invest more in the country.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the President started his day here with a string of meetings with executives from four Chinese business groups including the State Grid Corporation of China, Energy World Group, China Trend, and LED Chinese Contractors at the China World Hotel, followed by a brief meeting with Vice Premier Wang Qishan.
Lacierda said the President basically laid out the “Four Rights” principle of his administration—“right projects, right cost, right quality, and right on time”—in an attempt to attract more investments especially in the tourism, infrastructure, and agriculture sectors.
“Basically, he thanked those who have already invested, and asked the companies to invest more in the country. The President was very appreciative of the investments that they have made over the past several years,” Lacierda told reporters in a chance interview right after the President delivered his speech at the 2011 Philippines-China Economic and Trade Forum.
“We have more investments with China than China has with us, so he has come here to try to balance the equation… That’s basically the message that he brought to the Vice Premier and to the various business groups…for them to invest more in thePhilippines,” Lacierda added.
Lacierda said the Chinese companies “were very warm with their response” to President Aquino’s invitation. “They’re very eager to invest more, in fact, there is one group I understand that we will be meeting hopefully next week with the economic managers, the economic team,” he said.
No specific figures for investments were given by the companies concerned but Lacierda said, “It’s going to be an exciting prospect for Chinese investors in the Philippines.”
Lacierda explained that the President has so far shown his commitment to cut down bureaucratic red tape under his administration as manifested in the government’s swift approval of a project initiated by the Energy World Group within six months after he took office.
“He’s going to cut down on red tape and he’s going to hasten the speed of business registrations. He mentioned cutting down on red tape, and emphasized wiping out corruption in investments,” Lacierda stressed.(PCOO)
BEIJING, China — In an effort to ‘balance the equation’ in terms of investments between China and the Philippines, President Benigno S. Aquino III today wasted no time in encouraging several Chinese firms to invest more in the country.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the President started his day here with a string of meetings with executives from four Chinese business groups including the State Grid Corporation of China, Energy World Group, China Trend, and LED Chinese Contractors at the China World Hotel, followed by a brief meeting with Vice Premier Wang Qishan.
Lacierda said the President basically laid out the “Four Rights” principle of his administration—“right projects, right cost, right quality, and right on time”—in an attempt to attract more investments especially in the tourism, infrastructure, and agriculture sectors.
“Basically, he thanked those who have already invested, and asked the companies to invest more in the country. The President was very appreciative of the investments that they have made over the past several years,” Lacierda told reporters in a chance interview right after the President delivered his speech at the 2011 Philippines-China Economic and Trade Forum.
“We have more investments with China than China has with us, so he has come here to try to balance the equation… That’s basically the message that he brought to the Vice Premier and to the various business groups…for them to invest more in thePhilippines,” Lacierda added.
Lacierda said the Chinese companies “were very warm with their response” to President Aquino’s invitation. “They’re very eager to invest more, in fact, there is one group I understand that we will be meeting hopefully next week with the economic managers, the economic team,” he said.
No specific figures for investments were given by the companies concerned but Lacierda said, “It’s going to be an exciting prospect for Chinese investors in the Philippines.”
Lacierda explained that the President has so far shown his commitment to cut down bureaucratic red tape under his administration as manifested in the government’s swift approval of a project initiated by the Energy World Group within six months after he took office.
“He’s going to cut down on red tape and he’s going to hasten the speed of business registrations. He mentioned cutting down on red tape, and emphasized wiping out corruption in investments,” Lacierda stressed.(PCOO)
Philippines is now open for business – Aquino
Beijing, China: "The Philippines is now open for business."
Thus, said President Benigno S. Aquino III as he called on Chinese business leaders to invest in the Philippines and participate in his administration's Public-Private Partnership development program during his keynote speech at the Philippines-China Economic and Trade Forum at the China World Hotel here.
The Chief Executive said that with the reform measures he has put in place since he assumed office in June 2010, “the time to put in place strategic investments in tourism, agriculture and infrastructure is now."
"You can seize these various opportunities in the Philippines, including those under our Public Private Partnership program. Also, consider the opportunities in the country’s significant competitive advantages: a highly skillful and well educated workforce, a youthful and large domestic market, and natural endowments for tourism, among others,” the President said.
The President told the Chinese businessmen present that their interest in the Philippine economy goes "to show that my people’s newfound optimism spills over to our neighbors here in China, and this has been attested to by two success stories of Chinese investments in the Philippines."
"Let me add that other Chinese businessmen have partnered with our Public Works and Highways Department. The Hebei (Heh-Pay) Road and Bridge Group Company, Limited and the China Henan Shuili (Shway-Li) Yiju (Ichu) company, for example, have partnered with our Public Works and Highways Department in order to upgrade and maintain roads in Mindanao.
The President said these projects, worth US$12 and 11 million respectively, are currently being undertaken, adding that both are expected to be completed in 2013.
"These projects are only two examples of the enthusiasm that results from partnerships between our countries. We want even more of our people to work with you towards partnerships that are mutually beneficial," he stressed adding that by 2015, with the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community, the Philippines will be the northern gateway to the region.
In enticing the Chinese businessmen to infuse their capital back home, President Aquino noted that the atmosphere in thePhilippines has not been this conducive in a long time.
"Already, the signs are encouraging. Our stock markets have hit all-time highs seven times since my administration took office. My country has received four credit ratings upgrades in a little more than a year —this compared to only one upgrade and six downgrades in the previous nine years," he said.
The President said that his government continues to take steps to facilitate the entry of investments in the country, outlined the priority sectors, and enumerated its efforts to make the process of setting up and doing business in the Philippines easier.
"We have made the registration of business names a lot more convenient for businesses," he said adding that the Department of Interior and Local Government, together with the Department of Trade and Industry has also been working with Mayors, Governors, and other local government officials to harmonize local statutes with national laws to make it easier for businesses to operate.
The President, however, said that among the most important efforts of his government is "instilling a culture of transparency and integrity in government: weeding out corruption, and ensuring that businessmen —whether from within our shores or from foreign enterprises such as yours—are met with a level playing field," he continued.
"What this simply means is that investors will not anymore have to rely on connections in order to set up shop; the rules will not be circumvented and the law will be followed, creating an environment that is stable and predictable — and therefore, one that is conducive to profit," he said.
President Aquino pointed out the biggest change between the Philippines under his helm and under the previous government "is a change in mindset."
"We will not take short-cuts in order to close deals; we will follow the correct procedures. We will always take the long view in order to achieve lasting progress for our country, he added.
The President said that from this strategy, the government takes a holistic approach --- one that anticipates problems and addresses their different aspects.
"These initiatives will benefit not just investors like you, but my people as well, through the jobs that we hope to create through your investment. Through your support, the resulting improvement will be felt not only by the privileged few in our country, but by Filipinos across all strata of society, he said.
While the ties between the Philippines and China go back centuries old, the President expressed hope that the continued relationship between the Philippines and China will become stronger than ever.
"Together we can achieve mutual growth and provide benefits to our peoples. China is an economic power. I now invite the Chinese business community to take part in this opportunity to invest in an emerging economic force in South East Asia. I look forward to welcoming your investments into the Philippines, the President concluded.(PCOO)
People's Republic of China accords Aquino warm welcome on his visit
BEIJING, China: The government of the People's Republic of China welcomed Wednesday President Benigno S. Aquino III upon his arrival at the Great Hall of the People at the start of his five-day state visit here.
The President, clad in black suit, was personally received by Chinese President Hu Jintao during the welcome ceremonies befitting a head of state.
After shaking hands with President Hu Jintao, the President also extended his hands and greeted other Chinese officials as they were introduced to him by the Chinese protocol officer. On the other hand, the Chinese leader did the same gesture to the Philippine delegation as they were likewise introduced to him by Philippine Chief of Protocol Miguel Perez Rubio.
After the introduction ceremonies, President Aquino, accompanied by President Hu Jintao mounted the dais, faced the honor guards and stood at attention as the national anthems of the two countries were played. The first to be played was the national anthem of the Philippines, followed by the national anthem of China.
Then the two leaders trooped the line and inspected the colors of the two countries.
On hand to witness the ceremony were Beijing's top brass including the members of the Philippine delegation led by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Public works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Transportation and Communication Secretary Manuel Roxas, and Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda among others. Also present were representatives of the large business delegation.
Following the welcome rites, the two leaders held bilateral talks which, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs, would raise the relationship of the two countries to the highest level.
The President's state visit to the PROC is his first since he assumed office in June 2010. The visit is aimed at further strengthening the centuries-old friendship which is anchored on the theme "people centered partnership” between the Philippines and China.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China on June 9, 1975, the bilateral partnership between the two countries has reached unprecedented levels in terms of political, security and regional cooperation, trade, investment, agriculture, tourism, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, which have benefited the two countries.
The Philippines-China economic and trade cooperation continues to serve as the engine that drives the relations between the two countries to greater heights. China is the Philippines' third largest trading partner and the fastest growing source of tourists.(PCOO)
Aquino and President Hu Jintao witness signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Foreign Affairs of Phl and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China
BEIJING, China: President Benigno S. Aquino III and President Hu Jintao witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China.
The two leaders witnessed the signing of the agreement on Wednesday following their bilateral meeting at the China World Hotel here.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario affixed his signature for his department on behalf of the Philippine Government while a representative from China's Foreign Ministry signed for the PROC government.
The newly-signed MOU identifies the various areas that, if pursued will enhance cooperation and exchanges between the two ministers.
In particular, the MOU defines the following areas of cooperation: frequent contacts between the Foreign Ministers, regular consultations at various levels, exchange of publications and cooperation on organizing and conducting training programs, and cooperation in consular affairs.
(PCOO)
Aquino and Hu Jintao witness signing Philippine-China 5-Year Development Program for Economic Cooperation
BEIJING, China: President Benigno S. Aquino III and Chinese President Hu Jintao witnessed the signing of the Philippine-China Five-Year Development Program for Trade and Economic Cooperation in ceremonies held Wednesday at the China World Hotel here.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario signed the agreement for the National Economic Development Authority on behalf of the Philippine government and a representative of the PROC Ministry of Commerce.
The Philippine-China Five-Year Development Program and its implementation aim to steer and promote rapid, stable and orderly development of bilateral trade and economic cooperation, enlarge the scope and enhance the level of cooperation, achieve balanced trade with mutually beneficial results, and drive continuous and healthy socio-economic development in both countries.
BEIJING, China: President Benigno S. Aquino III and Chinese President Hu Jintao witnessed the signing of the Philippine-China Five-Year Development Program for Trade and Economic Cooperation in ceremonies held Wednesday at the China World Hotel here.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario signed the agreement for the National Economic Development Authority on behalf of the Philippine government and a representative of the PROC Ministry of Commerce.
The Philippine-China Five-Year Development Program and its implementation aim to steer and promote rapid, stable and orderly development of bilateral trade and economic cooperation, enlarge the scope and enhance the level of cooperation, achieve balanced trade with mutually beneficial results, and drive continuous and healthy socio-economic development in both countries.
The program aims to further expand and deepen economic and trade ties between China and the Philippines, promote the overall development of friendly cooperation between the two counties, and lay a solid economic foundation for developing Sino-Filipino strategic partnership committed to peace and development.
To ensure its successful implementation, the following targets have been set: an annual amount of US$ 60-billion bilateral trade (using figures from the General Administration of Customs of China) and at least US$ 1.5-billion cumulative two-way direct investment by the fifth year (2016).
The two governments have identified nine key areas for bilateral cooperation in the following five years, namely, agriculture and fishery, infrastructure and public works, mining, energy, information and communications technology, processing and manufacturing, tourism, engineering services, and forestry.(PCOO)
Aquino and President Hu Jintao witness signing of exchange of letters on technical grant
BEIJING, China: President Benigno S. Aquino and Chinese President Hu Jintao witnessed the signing of the exchange of letters on the technical grant of RMB 20 million in ceremonies at the China World Hotel here.
The two leaders witnessed the formal sealing of the document following their bilateral meeting. Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario signed the document on behalf of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) while a representative of the Ministry of Commerce signed the document for the PROC government.
Under the exchange of letters, China is providing the Philippines with 20 million Renminbi or roughly US$ 300,000 as a technical grant.
It also stipulates that the technical grant will be utilized for projects that will be endorsed by NEDA.
According to the document, the Chinese side is considering the utilization of this technical grant for the coco coir project proposed by the Department of Agriculture.(PCOO)
Aquino, Hu Jintao witness signing Memorandum of Understanding between Presidential Communications Operations Office and State Council Information of China
BEIJING, China: President Benigno S. Aquino III and Chinese President Hu Jintao witnessed the signing of the memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) of the Republic of the Philippines and the State Council Information Office (SCIO) of the People's Republic of China (PROC) on Friendly Exchanges and Cooperation.
The MOU, designed to further improve the relations between the two governments, was signed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario on behalf of the PCOO for the Philippine government and a representative from the SCIO for the PROC.
The MOU upgrades the 2004 Letter of Intent on Friendly Exchanges between the Office of the Press Secretary and the SCIO and provides the following:
-- exchange of visits of related officials and media practitioners,
-- active promotion of exchanges and cooperation between the media of both countries,
-- encourage more comprehensive and objective media reports on important events and developments,
-- exchange of periodicals, books, electronic audio-visual products and other publications introducing the countries, and
-- provide support to business exchanges and cooperation among newspapers, news agencies, radio and TV stations, publishing houses and internet media. (Rsda)(PCOO)
Aquino and President Hu Jintao witness signing of Memorandum of Understanding on assignment of Ministry ofCommerce Investment Officer to China Desk of Board of Investment
BEIJING, China:President Benigno S. Aquino III and Chinese President Hu Jintao witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the assignment of a Ministry of Commerce Investment Officer to the China Desk of the Board of Investment (BOI).
The Chief Executive and his counterpart witnessed the signing of the agreement on Wednesday at the China World Hotel on Wednesday following their bilateral talks here.
The MOU provides for the assignment of an Investment officer from the Ministry of Commerce to the China Desk of the BOI in order to assist the Board of investments in promoting the Philippines to Chinese investors.
According to the document, the agreement is patterned after existing arrangements that the BOI has with Japan and Korea.(PCOO)
Aquino and President Hu Jintao witness signing of Cooperation Agreement between the People's Television Network Inc and China Central Television
BEIJING, China: President Benigno S. Aquino III and Chinese President Hu Jintao on Wednesday witnessed the signing of the Cooperation Agreement between the People's Television Network, Inc. (PTNI) and the China Central Television Network (CCTV).
Under the agreement, the PTNI and the CCTV committed or agreed to establish a partnership to report Asia from an Asian perspective, deliver and strengthen Asia's voice in the world.
The networks likewise agreed to show Asia's improvement and development, and highlight the interaction and coordination between Asian countries and other parts of the world.
The agreement states in particular, PTNI and CCTV to exchange news programs, mutual licensing of news stories copyright, and establishment of a joint news gathering scheme.(PCOO)
Aquino, Hu Jintao witness sealing of agreements in Beijing
BEIJING, China:In efforts to further boost the friendly, economic and trade relations between the Philippines and the People's Republic of China, President Benigno S. Aquino III and President Hu Jintao witnessed the signing of 7 agreements and two exchange of letters between the two countries.
The two leaders witnessed the sealing of the agreements in simple ceremonies on Wednesday at the Great Hall of the People here.
The seven agreements that were signed are the following:
--Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of Forein Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China,
--Philippines-China Development Program for Trade and Economic Cooperation,
--Memorandum of Understanding between the General Administration of Sports of the People's Republic of China and the Sports Commission of the Republic of the Philippines on Sports Cooperation,
--Implementation Program of the MOU on Tourism Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the People's Republic of China,
--Memorandum of Understanding on the assignment of the ministry of Commerce Investment Officer to the China Desk of the Board of investment,
--Memorandum of Understanding between the Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO) of the Republic of the Philippines and the State Council Information Office (SCIO) of the People's Republic of China, and
--Cooperation Agreement between the People's Television Network Inc. (PTNI) and the China Central Television (CCTV).
The two exchanges of letters are the following:
--Exchange of Letters on the Technical Grant of RMB 20 million, and
--Extension of the 14th Executive Program 2009-2011 to implement
the PH- China Cultural Agreement - through Exchange of Letters. (PCOO)
BEIJING, China:In efforts to further boost the friendly, economic and trade relations between the Philippines and the People's Republic of China, President Benigno S. Aquino III and President Hu Jintao witnessed the signing of 7 agreements and two exchange of letters between the two countries.
The two leaders witnessed the sealing of the agreements in simple ceremonies on Wednesday at the Great Hall of the People here.
The seven agreements that were signed are the following:
--Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of Forein Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China,
--Philippines-China Development Program for Trade and Economic Cooperation,
--Memorandum of Understanding between the General Administration of Sports of the People's Republic of China and the Sports Commission of the Republic of the Philippines on Sports Cooperation,
--Implementation Program of the MOU on Tourism Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the People's Republic of China,
--Memorandum of Understanding on the assignment of the ministry of Commerce Investment Officer to the China Desk of the Board of investment,
--Memorandum of Understanding between the Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO) of the Republic of the Philippines and the State Council Information Office (SCIO) of the People's Republic of China, and
--Cooperation Agreement between the People's Television Network Inc. (PTNI) and the China Central Television (CCTV).
The two exchanges of letters are the following:
--Exchange of Letters on the Technical Grant of RMB 20 million, and
--Extension of the 14th Executive Program 2009-2011 to implement
the PH- China Cultural Agreement - through Exchange of Letters. (PCOO)
Palace confident that new tourism chief could steer the industry into a more vibrant and successful sector
Malacanang expressed full confidence that the appointment of Secretary Ramon Reyes Jimenez Jr. to the Department of Tourism could steer the country’s tourism industry into a more vibrant and successful sector considering his expertise in the field of marketing communication that could be a big factor in the pursuit of his job.
In a statement delivered during a press briefing at the Palace on Thursday, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) Secretary Ramon Carandang stressed that the decades-long practice of Secretary Jimenez in advertising could be advantageous in performing his responsibilities as the new tourism chief.
“We are confident that with his expertise, Secretary Jimenez will be able to build on the success of our tourism sector and expand the markets of this country’s tourism hubs,” Carandang said.
“He has been in the field of marketing communications for a total of 35 years, and is considered one of the pillars of Philippine advertising,” Carandang added as he welcomed Jimenez to his new official family in the government.
“The President, together with the entire Executive branch of government, welcomes Secretary Jimenez to his official family and looks forward to the growth of his industry and to the improved global profile of many of our country’s tourist destinations,” Carandang noted.
Mon Jimenez, as he is known to his peers, the new tourism head has spent most of his professional career as writer, creative director, or executive for the country’s top advertising agencies, even founding and serving as chief executive officer of JimenezBasic.
Before his appointment, he was Joint Chief Executive Officer and Senior Consultant at Winning Over Obstacles (WOO) Consultancy, sharing his expertise with a number of successful corporations.
Secretary Jimenez has worked as a Journalism and Marketing Communications instructor in some of the country’s most renowned universities, and is a sought-after lecturer for many successful corporations such as the San Miguel Corporation and the Jollibee Group.
He replaces and inherits the good work of Secretary Alberto Lim, who has laid the foundations for the continued growth of our tourism industry.(PCOO)
Palace says Mindanao peace process to continue despite reported threats from renegade MILF commander
Peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will continue despite the threat of renegade MILF commander Ameril Umbra Kato, Secretary Ramon Carandang of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office said.
“Both sides, the Philippine government and the MILF, are committed to making this process move forward and we will work together to make sure that attempts to disrupt it will not succeed,” Carandang said in a press conference in Malacanang on Thursday.
It was reported recently that Kato threatened to disrupt the ongoing peace process between the government and the MILF.
Aside from the peace talks, Kato also warned to attack the ongoing Balikatan exercises between Filipino soldiers and US forces in Maguindanao.
“Ipagpapatuloy natin yan. We will not give in to threats and all the planned exercises will continue,” Carandang said referring to the military exercises, adding that there is no need to augment government forces in Maguindanao in light of Kato’s threat.
Carandang said there is sufficient security being provided for the US soldiers participating in the military drills and there is no government plan to change the schedule because of the threat of Kato.
With regards to some lawmakers opposing the current peace talks, Carandang said many of these politicians are not part of the peace process. He made an assurance that the talks will continue. He said that as the peace talks move forward there will be opposition so it’s not a surprise for the Palace.
Commenting on some MILF officials making the rounds of diplomatic officials as well as the business community in the past months, Carandang said consultation is necessary to get the support of all stakeholders considering that the talks have been stalled for some time.
Both the government and the MILF are aware that any conclusion of the peace process must have the support of the majority of the people so doing consultations are important, he added. (PCOO)
Tourism is the business of the people, says newly appointed Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez
Newly-appointed Tourism Secretary Ramon Reyes Jimenez, Jr. called on the Filipino people to participate in government efforts to promote the country as one of the top tourist destinations in the world as he shared the idea that “tourism is the business of the people”.
In a press briefing at the Palace on Thursday, Secretary Jimenez stressed the important role of the citizenry in promoting the tourism programs of the government as he expressed gratitude to President Benigno S. Aquino III for his new role in public service.
“It is with great humility that I accept the role of Tourism secretary to President Benigno Aquino III… my thanks for the trust and confidence… in accepting this role, I am keenly aware that I will succeed only if I begin rallying the DOT team, tourism practitioners, the government bureaucracy and the general public around one very simple idea: tourism is the people’s business,” Jimenez said.
He said that as the new tourism chief, his job entails not only increasing the numbers of tourist influx in the country but most importantly, the generation of employment opportunity for the people.
“Ang turismo po ay negosyo ng taumbayan… as such its ultimate goal is not merely to improve statistics on tourist arrivals, its real goal is to generate fulfilling and profitable income and employment for our people in an area of endeavor where Filipinos tend to excel…” Jimenez noted adding that his expertise in marketing communication will help a lot in promoting the Philippines as a tourism hot spot.
“I have much to contribute in terms of bringing strategic discipline to the challenge of promoting and developing the Philippines as one of the world’s most exciting destination brands,” Jimenez said.
Jimenez vowed to exert all his creative juices in promoting the country to the rest of the world, taking part of the Aquino government’s goal of effecting progress and development to the country.
“I will do my best to make tourism a hallmark of President Aquino’s drive to bring our people to the road… to a richer and prouder future,” Jimenez noted.
“We are one of the top ten most beautiful countries in the world, there is no reason we can’t succeed,” he added.
When asked for a message to the Filipino people, Jimenez called for the people’s cooperation in pursuing the responsibilities upon his shoulders as the new tourism chief.
“Ang turismo ay negosyo ng taumbayan… so if you believe that as I do, help me achieve that,” Jimenez noted.
President Aquino confirmed the appointment of Jimenez to the tourism post during his tete-a-tete with Filipino reporters at the China World Hotel, Wednesday night at the sidelines of his State Visit in China.
Jimenez is currently the senior consultant and joint chief executive officer of WOO (Winning Over Obstacles) Consultants with his wife Annabelle "Abby" Lee-Jimenez.
He helped build JimenezBasic Advertising into the largest creative advertising agency in the country during his stint as joint CEO from 1989 to 2008. His work at the agency has been closely associated with the rise of Philippine brands such as Jollibee, Selecta Ice Cream, Safeguard, San Miguel, Cebu Pacific and Ivory Soap, among others.
Prior to that, he was vice-president and executive creative director at Ace-Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising from 1988 to 1989.
Jimenez studied at the University of the Philippines (UP) from elementary school to college. He majored in visual communications at the UP College of Fine Arts.
His predecessor, businessman Alberto Lim, resigned as tourism chief last month, citing his need to spend more time with his family.(PCOO)
