By Fil Sionil
As Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) approaches its 31st anniversary as an autonomous institution, the banking sector is keenly anticipating the announcement of the two remaining appointments to the seven-member Monetary Board.
Based on news reports last week, seasoned banker Walter C. Wassmer, a classmate of President Bongbong Marcos at De La Salle Greenhills, is the leading candidate to replace resigned Monetary Board members Bruce Tolentino and Anita Linda Aquino, who were embroiled in a recent controversy concerning ghost employees at the BSP.
Wassmer has reportedly confirmed to a former BDO colleague that he is awaiting his appointment papers.
Attention is now focused on the second nominee, sparking intense discussion in the banking community. The list of potential candidates includes a former BSP Deputy Governor, possibly Vicente Aquino, the first executive director of the Anti-Money Laundering Council, or Philippine National Bank independent director Cyd Amador.
Other names in contention are:
Mark Frondoso, an independent director at the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation and founder of FSG Capital, Inc. He is also the son-in-law of Arthur “Pancho” Villaraza, managing partner of Villaraza & Angangco Law Office.
Roberto Juanchito “Jojo” Dispo, former deputy treasurer of the Philippines and ex-president at First Metro Investment Corp. He currently serves as vice-chairman and president of Cirtek Holdings Phils. Corp. and adviser to the board of bilyonaryo Lucio Co’s Philippine Bank of Communications.
Sources from Bankero.com believe the second MBM slot is a toss-up between Mark and Jojo, as the two former BSP Deputy Governors have denied plans to return to BSP in an official capacity after retirement. Jojo is already involved in government work, assisting Housing Czar and Department of Housing Settlements and Urban Development head Jose “Jerry” Acuzar, in what Bankero.com sources describe as “an unofficial capacity.”
Both candidates meet the Palace’s requirement that the next two MBMs should be bankers, given that two current members are economists – Gov. Eli Remolona and Benjamin Diokno – and two are finance experts – former National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon and former Finance Undersecretary and head of the International Finance Group Romeo Bernardo.
Mark has reportedly confirmed to a senior official of a universal bank that he is indeed on the shortlist. Jojo, however, has remained silent.
An announcement is anticipated within the next few days.
