
“Everybody is identical in their secret unspoken belief that way deep down they are different from everyone else.” –David Foster Wallace
When it comes to major corporations of public interest that are under the ownership of one family, the public seldom hears of interfamily feuds such as what is happening with Vallacar Transit Inc., which is run by the Yanson clan. Much like the Florete brothers of Iloilo City, who were involved in a legal squabble several years back that threatened to break-up the family, the public was startled to hear members of the prominent family were at odds.
The Floretes had Marcelino and Rogelio, while the Yansons have Roy and Leo Rey.
The feud between the Floretes was, however, not as tense as what is happening with the Yansons.
When such serious internal insurrections explode, it only means everybody isn’t happy—the pie isn’t being sliced properly. However, in the end, the court has the final say.
Meanwhile, despite managing Iloilo City’s Panay Electric Company for nearly a century, the Cacho family has never quarreled in public; all their corporate issues are tackled privately and peacefully. If the Cachos were in the news, it’s because they worked side-by-side against the ranting and agitation from consumers who went ballistic against “astronomical” charges.
In addition, the Lopez family were never known to tear each other apart while managing ABS-CBN, Meralco, among other entities; the same goes for the Sy family and SM Prime Holdings; the Ayalas and their Ayala Corporation; and the Gokongweis, who oversee Robinsons Malls, the Universal Robina Corporation, among other companies.
For those firms, the public only hears about the smooth transition of management from one family patriarch to another.
Bad management normally causes most organizational problems.
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Alex P. Vidal, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo./WDJ