In defense of Phillipp Chua

First and foremost, Phillipp Chua is a businessman. He was born to Chinese-Filipino parents who generated their wealth through honest and decent means. The Chua family has never been linked to any illegal, nay immoral activities in Iloilo City. The Chua family is engaged in many businesses but I have heard no one complaining about their business and personal conduct.

The Chua family is a pillar in the local business community. To say that Phillipp was born with a silver spoon in his mouth is an understatement.

In their employ are hundreds of workers and I also have heard no one complaining as regards their treatment of employees.

In the Chinese-Filipino community here in Iloilo City, I also heard nothing negative about the Chua family.

Even if at times they engage certain local government units for supply contracts, they make sure that everything is above board. No hanky-panky. No shortcuts. No corruption.

I am quite sure that Phillipp’s parents inculcated in him the values of hard work, decency, and honesty. Qualities that even those who came close to him in school and civic clubs like the Rotary can attest to.

I am not aware of the history or how Phillipp became close to the Marcos family, particularly President BBM and Senator Imee Marcos. What I know is he has long expanded his business activities in Luzon earning him good fortune.

The Chua family, without any prompting from anyone high and low, made substantial donations and assistance to victims of natural calamities. They do this sans fanfare, pomp, and pageantry.

They are low-key and don’t relish the idea of calling attention to themselves.

Thus, I was surprised to hear the story being peddled around about Phillipp’s alleged ‘balimbing’ activities during the 2022 presidential elections.

Phillipp was not ashamed to be identified with the Marcoses even if he was aware from the start that Iloilo was traditionally anti-Marcos. He did all the campaigning and organizing for Imee’s senatorial campaign in 2019 and BBM’s presidential run in 2022 silently although everybody knew that he was playing a very crucial role.

Most importantly, Phillipp did not ask for monetary muscle from the Marcoses. In short, he used his own money for his own candidates. So, the rumor that he was “packing” envelopes right in his own home for Leni Robredo is utterly false. The intrigue that he rode on both BBM and Leni at the same time is just that, intrigue.

Maybe those who are trying to destroy Phillipp thought that he was going to apply for a lucrative, juicy, and influential post in the high echelons of the BBM administration. They are wrong. Phillipp does not want any work with the government.

Or, perhaps the real target of the intrigue was another ‘chinaman’ related to Phillipp by affinity.

By the way, Phillipp is married to Joy of the well-respected Jon family. Like the Chuas, the Jons are not into politics either and they do not need politics or any government influence to further enrich themselves.