Quite unfortunate for Robert Blair Carabuena that he is employed by global tobacco giant Philip Morris International. It does not help the man whose reputation is currently being carpetbombed across social media that he is employed by what is also a much-demonised industry. Carabuena is currently under fire after he was caught on camera assaulting a traffic officer of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). The 26-second video went “viral” after it was posted on the Internet and since then had been the subject of much online chatter.
The way things are going, Carabuena cannot expect to be cut any slack in the foreseeable future. Yesterday, the MMDA had announced that it will file charges against Carabuena and an online campaign is currently being mounted by “concerned citizens” to pressure Philip Morris to fire him from his “recruitment executive” position there.
Clearly Carabuena finds himself on the wrong side of the equation today, staring up at what has become an avalanche of public opinion. The circus is proving to be a public relations bonanza for the MMDA which, on ordinary days, is much-maligned for being the bureaucratic face of the long-dysfunctional Philippine capital. The alleged “victim” in the incident, trafic officer Saturnino Fabros has become a virtual martyr, single-handedly transforming the blue shade of the MMDA traffic officer’s uniform into the new black…
Every time an MMDA enforcer steps out onto the streets to perform his often-scoffed-at duty, don’t you think he isn’t afraid that he could run into a Jason Ivler or a Rolito Go [who were also accused of road rage-fueled acts of violence in the past]? Think about this for a second: Whenever MMDA personnel report for work, they are risking their own safety out there. They have no idea what kind of a gun-toting psycho could be behind the wheel of the next car. They know that. Do you really think Mang Saturnino would resort to a power trip even after seeing the burly fellow driving that Volvo S60?
I saw a photo of Robert Carabuena wearing a Glock shirt and also a video of him leisurely firing a gun in some shooting range. This guy is obviously a gun aficionado. It’s not a stretch of the imagination to assume he was carrying a firearm in his car at the time of the incident. If he was, Mang Saturnino literally had a brush with death.
The only relevant question to Carabuena’s current employer is increasingly becoming quite evident:
Is Robert Blair Carabuena worth standing up for?
The real answer to that question remains to be seen as an official statement released by the multinational cigarette manufacturer opts to take the safe route…
We are aware of the incident involving our employee Robert Blair Carabuena.
The incident happened last Saturday (Aug. 11) and Mr. Carabuena was on his personal time and was not doing any work in behalf of the company when the incident took place.
While the complete facts surrounding the incident are not yet clear to make a full appreciation of the situation, the company would obviously not condone inappropriate conduct by any of our employees.
We understand the matter is being investigated by the authorities and we will monitor developments closely.
Suffice to say, in a big corporation, no employee is irreplaceable. This is specially true for one based in a country where labour is in happy abundance. The argument that Carabuena was “on his personal time” is quite valid and, therefore, Philip Morris cannot be held accountable for nor be fairly associated with his behaviour as such. Unfortunately cold logic like that does not move public perception.
Indeed, risk managers within Philip Morris will merely sharpen their pencils and start calculating return on investment (ROI) on any move to save Carabuena’s hide. It comes down to how much in dollar terms Carabuena is worth to Philip Morris and how much in dollar terms the company’s brand equity gets shaved off with every day the company spends in the media spotlight (from its perspective, the wrong kind) while it remains associated with the Carabuena circus.
The MMDA had already reaped the opportunities to profit from this quaint episode. Philip Morris is likely already mapping out how it plans to cut its losses.
Mr. Carabuena was not on company time but it does project a bad image for PMI. PMI can’t fire him just because of that though they better think of something really good to the public. The fact that their name has been brought up because of what he did can be grounds but it is still a little weak. It’s just sad that a company gets dragged into this because of an arrogant employee. He is a recruiter and he should have been a lot more able to handle stress.
There is no way in hell that asshole in the video could be anything but pure evil. Even if you were to block all the noise from social media and analyze the video objectively, he could not be demonized further as he is the devil himself.
Or, perhaps, human. Try to be less vindictive and more objective about the issue. Like a few already said, we do NOT know the full story and what led to Carabueno to fly off the handle.
As for PMI, the quickest way to resolve the matter, the better which is a very likely possibility. Netizens have a memory of a fish and flock to the next big scandal at the drop of a hat.
Remember that whether you’re on your personal time or not, you’re bringing the name of the company. This is very true to high ranking positions. So I would definitely strip this bastard off from his position and let him learn his lessons.
I disagree. Do you mean to tell me the man we saw on the video is not the same man who works with PMI?
He deserves what he gets and to me, strip him off of everything he’s got.
I bet he wouldn’t do that if it was cop or a hagad on that intersection. He obviously thinks that the MMDA officer is beneath him. I wouldn’t be surprised if he thinks the same way of the PM employees — those beneath him as trash, and licking the asses of his superiors.
Mr. Carabao-enamo is just lucky we are not in the medieval times.
After the incident, he better be hiding, or be mutilated in the plaza. All of his fat, one by one, will be burnt to make an offering to Barney!
PM should terminate Carabuena? Smokers will stop buying or patronizing PM just because of the MMDA case as insinuated by some here? Really?
Hey guys, smoking (Philip Morris, etc.) kills, but people continue to smoke. Whether Carabuena works in PM or not is of no moment. Even if he killed that MMDA guy, smokers will continue to buy and consume PM product.
Addiction has nothing to do with reputation.
One thing that i would like to say.
“Carabuena’s job has nothing to do with this incident.”
YEAH.. YEAH.. Whatever! So what?
Next time, you should wear Barney Custom before slapping a MMDA Office. So that your personal and professional life won’t be ruined! Kahit makuha man nila anng plate number ng sasakyan mo, maitatanggi mo pa!
Carabuena, at di ka muna nagpa-advice sa akin bago mo sapakin yung MMDA officer.
Carabuena you must learn a lifelong moral lesson.
Let us Teach him a lifelong moral lesson.
Let him suffer even though public humiliation is enough but
make it more deeper in terms of consequences.
Di kami namemersonal pero sa panahon ngayon, kakaunti lang ang taong mataas ang antas sa lipunan na marunong magpakumbaba. Kailangang sirain ang punong dulo o pinagmulan ng ganyang asal. PERA at REPUTASYON.
DAMN! Kaano-ano kaba ni Carabuena??? @phriel! A week of public service? Month of being MMDA without pay? for that kind of immorality???
With this high-earner employee??
Without Pay? Eh ano naman. barya lang sa kanya ang kikitain ng MMDA. Marami na yang naitago sa bangko.
Baka magtayo yan ng mansyon sa gitna ng daan!
OR
Even hire other people with his size and which makes an illusion that he was there.
OR
Baka magpasarap lang yan sa gitna ng kalsada.
OR
Even worse, baka manapak at may hawak na baril yan sa gitna ng daan.
NAH……..
I have a suggestion.
PROPERTIES AND WEALTH Swap between Carabuena and that of Mr. Fabros. (I know, it’s a bad idea and it’s unfair although i’m not against it)
Phriel. I have question for you. If you are part of top management of a company. Would you like to risk your company’s name for the sake of your employee? Where you know that there was something wrong done by your employee?
—————————————————
It’s you PMI that made him so arrogant.
Sobrang laki na ata ng sahod na napamudmud ng PMI sa taong yan.
PMI Terminate Carabuena.
Let us keep his feet on the ground.
Strip off everything that he have!
Ibagsak si Carabuena sa Lupa!
Give him a new chapter on his life,
hindi yung babalik siya ng PMI, sasahod, tapos mananapak nalang. As what i said lately, public humiliation is not enough! OK?
Let him suffer, He would probably apply on other company.
The company would probably see his public “bad” record and have the difficulty equated to a fresh college graduate to get a job.
Marami pa din naman tutulong sa taong yan gaya ng kaibigan, his family and his supporter (Phriel and E). Kaya’t impossibleng hindi siya makabangon sa kanyang pagbagsak.
In my opinion he belongs from a mid-high class family.
He probably gets the best things in life but
paano naman si Manong MMDA na naghihirap na sa buhay at ganun pa ang sinapit.
I know, parehas silang nag-hahanap buhay and unethical to remove Carabuena in his position for no reason pero there was a reason to remove him from his position. Which is he was identified as such and made a negative image on PMI.
There is the video. That’s why he was identified.
If I am not mistaken, Tulfo Brothers got Carabuena’s Information through the Plate Number of his car and though LTO. (I’m not bashing anyone. So please, keep off your negative feedback).
For me, identifying him by a private sector (like TV Networks) through government agencies’ file (like LTO and a such) is illegal. They shouldn’t give any personal information unless authorized and should be penalized to maximum extent if there is something wrong happened in releasing the information.
OR maybe someone know’s him and leaked his name.
Be advise that all articles, information and etc published in the internet is guaranteed for public use.
He take the risk of publishing his information online. It’s not our choice but his. In short, it’s his fault kung bakit nadamay pati ang pangalan ng kanyang pinagtratrabahuhan.
Carabuena should be busy looking for those people who leaks his name to the public which reveals his full personal information through the help of the internet.
Pasalamat siya at di nasangkot ang buong pamilya nya sa leakage ng information.
I will leave you this beautiful quote.
“A dying culture invariably exhibits personal rudeness. Bad manners. Lack of consideration for others in minor matters. A loss of politeness, of gentle manners, is more significant than is a riot…â€
― Robert A. Heinlein
And I ask of you: how many eyes do you people have?
Sure, Carabuena did something worth gaping our mouths at, but do you think, THIS INCIDENT is the only thing that’s happening right now?
At the very moment Carabuena’s bad-mouthing an MMDA officer, there’s a teenage girl selling herself to prostitution, an official taking another share from his pork barrel, Budol gangs hitting on another victim, women and men cheating one another, and – your favorite – domestic abuse of the rich people on their maids and employees. The only difference is, Carabuena’s caught on camera while more other worse things with the whole world past noticing – or even caring.
Don’t strike me with those ad hominem arguments – no I was never acquainted with Carabuena in any way, or even support him on this matter. I watched his video enough, and I thought, “Oh just file a case against him under some rules about disobeying traffic laws and physical injury.” He’ll of course be charged guilty with the video as sufficient evidence against him. But of course, I had to stop twitching reading all other comments striking him with insults as if the MMDA officer’s their dad. Worse, some video’s even spreading Carabuena’s PERSONAL information for the sake of, what? Destroying his whole life? Oh come on!
I may delude myself that you may be trolling, but the comments were too many enough for me to tolerate. You’ve got two eyes. Try to think on another perspective. You’ve imagined yourself having your dad as the MMDA officer. But have you imagined yourself having Carabuena as your dad? Don’t even deny yourselves that your dad (and of course, you) can’t be an asshole like Carabuena.
Media mayhaps be the most powerful tool of mind control. Stop seeing through the lens and start thinking for your own.
It is sad that a man sees a sky and insists that it is green. It is more tragic that a man sees a sky and ONLY insists that it is blue. People should really stop jumping on bandwagons (especially those that fuel hatred) and think before they jump.
crit,
nice to see an uncommon, but very thought-provoking point of view.
Quick, you have to read this article too:
http://getrealphilippines.com/blog/2012/08/robert-blair-carabuena-self-destructs-are-filipinos-angry-for-the-right-reasons/
I’ve already read the article (and also commented!) and it really is a good read for pinoys who hate for no reason. Sadly, it seems many of them didn’t exactly understand the point…
“but do you think, THIS INCIDENT is the only thing that’s happening right now?” – crit
—
Unfortunately, yes. What he did was wrong. That is the only happening the people saw in the video. But a lot of things happens all around us all at the same time. We can only appreciate their gravity and understand their message according to our senses.
But whether or not it’s the only thing is immaterial. Either way it does not disprove that it happened or proved Carabuena’s innocence.
IF PM has a morality clause on their contract especially with HR people, then Carabuena should be fired right away. If not … then it is indeed just all about dollars, win or lose for PM. Branding/PR nightmare? PM can turn this thing around and go for a new slogan – “The truly bad boys smoke Phillip Morris.” LOL.
HR professionals must play a key role in ethics management.
Ethical leadership is vital to creating an ethical workforce, is a leader who cares, listens to what employees have to say, and has the best interests of employees in mind.
 In addition, an ethical leader communicates an ethics and values message. When making decisions, he/she asks “what is the right thing to do?” also role models ethical conduct and conducts his/her personal life in an ethical manner. This role model is trusted by employees and sets an example of how to do things the right way in terms of ethics. An ethical leader holds everyone accountable, and defines success not just by results but also by the way they are obtained.—
The Key Role of HR in Organizational Ethics for Fortune 500 companies
copyright May 01, 2009
On another note, SERIOUS MISCONDUCT is a valid ground for termination of employment and the following elements must be present:
1. The misconduct must be serious;-The misconduct to be serious must be of such grave and aggravated character and not merely trivial and unimportant.
2. It must relate to the performance of the employee’s duties; and,
Must show that the employee has become unfit to continue working for the employer.-Misconduct, however serious, must, nevertheless, be in connection with the employee’s work to constitute just cause for his separation.-PHIL. LABOR LAWS
I agree that considering the situation he was in, he can no longer be an effective HR manager. How can he be a good employee if his behavior in public will not bring good image to his company?
Dignity in Poverty
(the way of Saturnino Fabros)
by: Apolinario B. Villalobos
Self-respect…..self-esteem
Poise…. pride….
All these, we have in us
But can we hold on to them
When our family miss not only one
But all meals in a day sometimes?
Can we hold on to them
As sometimes we just stay home
Instead of reporting to work
When even loose change for fare
We have none?
Can we hold on to them
As we see our family
Sit it out at night
Not a wink of sleep
Due to the roof that leaks?
Can we hold on to them
As we see our children
Clad in tattered clothes
Barefooted as they play around
Or trod the muddy road?
Can we hold on to them
When we are berated by others
Who felt or thought to be slighted
As we do our job -
With all sincerity and honesty?
Temptation is always there –
Ready to delightedly push us
Towards the verge of misdeed
Making us just remorseful later
Blaming ourselves without end.
Poverty has been part of life
Not everybody can be rich
Contentment then of what we have
Should be the norm, nobody to blame
Just feel dignified …most of all –strive!
Saturnino Fabros
… humility personified
By: Apolinario B. Villalobos
When God created man and woman
Perfection was in His mind;
In His image they were molded
But what happened in Paradise
Was unfortunate, for it proved -
His creations were weak;
He could have asked Himself
How he could have failed.
Just like Adam and Eve
Who, with virtues were created
Around each of us lurks temptation
And it’s up to us how to resist it
Which is just waiting to embrace
The weak who may finally give way
To uncontrolled desire to burst
Into uncalled for action he could vent.
Humility is difficult to live out
As pride always gets in the way
But not for Saturnino Fabros
Who stood tall despite humiliations -
Blows, berating and all
From Carabuena brothers -
Traffic rules violators.
His lean body unmoving
And eyes fixed on Robert Carabuena
Who shouted at him with all his might
All these Fabros took with all humility…
Admirable, indeed, as many later saw on TV;
Pride of Metro Manila Development Authority
Saturnino Fabros is one great guy to admire -
A true Filipino… he personified humility!