Controversy Over New MLM Company In The Philippines

ENVIRONMENT Secretary Michael Defensor has taken to heart President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo?s standing order to create business opportunities for the Filipino.

But his being a Cabinet secretary has raised questions of propriety.

To friends and colleagues in and out of Malaca�ang and Congress, Defensor is aggressively pitching his family?s new multilevel marketing (MLM) company, JC Spicecorp Inc., which sells through its members a variety of goods -- from shoes to watches, hotdogs to tocino (sweet meats), and even cars to real estate.

A lawyer in the Ombudsman?s office, who requested anonymity, said government officials, especially ranking ones, were discouraged from promoting their commercial interests while in office because it was improper and left a bad taste in the mouth.