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Duterte: Manila Army and Navy Club now prettier under Chinese owners


President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday threw shade at the United States during the launch of the Rizal Park Hotel, the restored and modernized Manila Army and Navy Club.

Duterte graced the grand opening of the boutique hotel developed by the Oceanville Hotel and Spa Corporation, chaired by Simon Lee Paz.

"The American-owned Army and Navy Club, it’s now so beautiful, much maybe prettier than the original one," the President said.

"What is very consoling is that all of the American properties are already in the hands of the Chinese. Very good. Galing sa Amerikano, pupunta rin sa—,” he quipped, drawing laughter from the guests.

The Manila Army and Navy Club was the center of the social scene of the American military personnel based in the Philippines before the World War II. It was designed by William Parsons and completed in 1909.

The structure was barely renovated during its 30-year existence before Oceanville turned it into a boutique hotel.

But the plan almost did not push through after heritage conservationists and former Senator Pia Cayetano in 2014 protested against the developer’s decision to demolish parts of the main building without informing the authorities.

Nonetheless, in the prepared speech that he read, Duterte lauded the businessman for pushing through with the project.

“The vision and effort it took in conserving this heritage site are truly admirable. It is likewise noteworthy that this project was undertaken considering the tremendous cost and risk it might incur. Restoring a building is more generally expensive than constructing a new one,” he said.

“However, Mr. Simon Paz, the Ocean Hotel and Spa Corporation—kasi natatawa ako diyan sa mga Amerikano—the other members involved still found the motivation, commitment and patience to restore the Manila Army and Navy Club Building,” he added.

The President also indicated that his government would work with the private sector in their plans to redevelop heritage structures to preserve history.

“Indeed, our past serves as a strong foundation for us to build the hopes and dreams of the present and future generations,” he said.

“We will continue to support the initiatives of our private sectors in fostering our patrimony and posterity. In return, this government will pursue measures to make the Philippines a safer, more convenient and more attractive place for tourists and investors,” he added.

Duterte, meanwhile, was three hours late for the event. He arrived at around 7 p.m. at the Rizal Park Hotel, which is a few minutes away from Malacañang. In his brief speech, the President explained that he had a meeting with Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez.

“Pasensya na po. The pressing matters po of the state… I was talking to the Finance Secretary and because we need money, it took us a little bit longer to discuss,” he said, adding it was not about the businessmen but also refusing to give more details. — BAP, GMA News

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