As director of government and public affairs of the Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), head of the MVP Group media bureau and chief operating officer of the Silangan Mindanao Mining Company Inc. — among many other things — former presidential spokesperson and Philippine STAR columnist Atty. Michael Toledo definitely wears many hats. And, as anyone who has met the man would know, he wears them all in style.
By JOSE PAOLO S. DELA CRUZ
Photography by RXANDY CAPINPIN
Articulate, charming and always impeccably dressed, Michael “Mike” Toledo easily commands attention when he enters any room. But at the end of the day, the mission is clear for this crisis management and government and public relations expert — to make sure every message is delivered “clearly, factually and effectively.”
Perhaps such a task wouldn’t be so difficult, if this lawyer — who obtained his Law degree from the University of the Philippines before pursuing further studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and being accepted at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University — only needed to speak for himself.
However, his words represent the consolidated views of some of the country’s most important, most highly regulated, and, at times, most heavily criticized companies. These include power generation giant Meralco, water services provider Maynilad, infrastructure company Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., about 19 hospitals, including the Makati Medical Center, and many more.
“I think the main goal is to ensure that the position, policies and goals of the group are properly articulated to our stakeholders, which include shareholders, clients, and even the government and the general public. A major part of what I do is to ensure that our position on certain issues are properly clarified and that questions regarding our businesses are always answered,” Mike tells PeopleAsia.
In the court of public opinion
Prior to landing such a critical role at the MVP Group, Mike was already an accomplished corporate, litigation, labor, intellectual property and criminal lawyer who started his career at the Angara, Concepcion, Cruz, Regala and Abello Law Offices (ACCRALAW) in the ‘80s.
And after years of handling high-profile cases, Mike understood a valuable lesson that he carries with him to this day. “Many lawyers may disagree with me, but it’s always good to remember that you may win in the court of law, but you can still lose in the court of public opinion,” he says. “It’s important to always keep an eye on both.”
This is truer than ever in the time of social media, where the public can virtually crucify anyone with a click of a button, long before any court could reach a decision. For this, Mike has two weapons in his arsenal: facts and transparency. “You have to have the facts and present it to the public. There is no other way,” he says.
And while some may find it tempting to lie in order to wiggle their way out of a wrinkle, this seasoned crisis management expert strongly cautions anyone from doing so. “If there’s something that needs to be explained and positioned, we have to articulate the facts. We always make sure to cooperate with the government, or the public so that we can come up with better solutions to any problem, be it the cost of electricity, reliability of our services and many more.”
Mike admits that mining is one of the most complicated industries that he is tasked to represent, not only as COO of Silangan Mindanao Mining Company Inc., a $2-billion gold and copper project that operates in Surigao del Norte, but also as chairman of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP), which is comprised of the country’s largest mining, quarrying and mineral processing companies. Together, they aim to promote responsible exploration, development and utilization of minerals in the country.
While prone to negative misconceptions, mining in the Philippines, Mike reminds, is covered by some of the most stringent laws and regulations. According to the chamber’s website, such laws are enforced “to mitigate the impact on the environment and host communities, including progressive and final mine rehabilitation in order to restore the environment and determine alternative productive uses of the land.”
However, the sector continues to draw flak, mostly due to the work of illegal miners and some smaller operators who tend to skirt around government regulations in order to make a quick buck.
Bigger and more established mining companies, such as the members of COMP, on the other hand, take these regulations to heart. Aside from enabling it to ensure continuous operations, being ESG-compliant (environment, social and governance) is also reflective of how most of today’s investors choose to do business.
“ESG is no longer just a byword or concept that we hear in the corporate world. This is now demanded and expected by stakeholders, not only the government. That’s why compliance to ESG standards is a priority among legitimate companies and members of our organization,” he says.
Keeping up with the times
With a career now spanning close to four decades, Mike admits that times have definitely changed for those in his profession. “Back in the day, it was basically dealing with newspapers, radio and television. It was about dealing with people,” he reminisces.
Nowadays, the companies that Mike represents have added social media to the mix, in order to reach more people, promote their services and products, and, of course, grow the advocacies they support. “And we do it responsibly, no fake news!” he says with a chuckle.
The former presidential spokesperson, who, perhaps handled the mother of all crises when his former boss was removed from office in 2001, also tells us about what was undoubtedly one of the most difficult points in his career. “One of the most important things we had to do back then was to assure the public that the government was still working, in spite of what’s happening on the streets.”
And while, Mike, who was one of the youngest members of the Cabinet at that time, found government service fulfilling, he, too, admits that it was quite a difficult job. For starters, it required him to be available 24/7, not just to speak on behalf of the president, but to take care of the information office as well.
Asked if he would ever consider working for government again, Mike easily says that he would if he is given the chance. “At the end of the day, we cannot ignore the call of public service. So, if it’s something that will be offered then who am I to refuse?” says Mike.
Outside of crisis communications and forging ties between the private and public sectors, Mike, as expected, lives life to the fullest with his many exciting interests. “I play golf with my son, although not as regularly as I want to,” shares Mike, who also treasures the time he spends with his two daughters and wife Connie.
But even the golf course sometimes becomes an extension of his office. “Golf is a relaxing sport, it opens your mind and you spend time doing it. Sometimes, you get to talk to other business and government leaders for two to three hours while playing golf,” he says.
He also lives life on the fast lane so to speak, as he does car racing and clay shooting. “Racing, in particular, relaxes me. The challenges in preparing for a race and the exhilaration once you’re there in the race track, it’s like all your troubles are gone for a while,” he says.
And so goes the exciting life of Mike.
Art Direction by DEXTER FRANCIS DE VERA
Styling by EDRICK PAZ
Grooming by KLENG TOTANES
Shot on location at CONRAD MANILA
