Controversial Filipino businessman is "Dove of Peace" Awardee for philanthropy

Businessman, congressman and philanthropist Mark Jimenez is the first recipient of the "Dove of Peace" Award for philanthropy in recognition of his unsurpassed generosity in helping the deprived and abused members of society, as well as the victims of calamity and injustice. He will be conferred the honor during "An Evening for Peace" Awards Night presentation on December 11, 2006, 7:00 p.m. at the Forum Hall, Airport Casino, Sucat Road, Parañaque City, Metro Manila. The Dove of Peace Awards is a project of the Centre for Peace Education and Advocacy in Communities and Enterprises in cooperation with the Rotary club of Masambong, Quezon City.

A globally successful Filipino caught in the eye of the storm
Jimenez engaged in various business activities, married, and raised a family before he went to the U.S., where he became a very successful businessman, dealing with computer parts and accessories in Latin American countries. In the late 1990s, his company, Future Tech International, was rated as one of the top 300 fastest growing computer firms in the U.S., grossing over US$500 million a year. He was cited as one of the most outstanding CEOs in the U.S. and was included in the list of Who's Who in America during that time.

He became a close friend of 17 Latin American heads of state, and became very influential with the then incumbent US President Bill Clinton and a number of Democrat senators. Jimenez dined with the Clintons and stayed overnight at the White House about a dozen times during their incumbency.

Jimenez visited the Philippines in 1998 and met newly elected President Joseph Estrada, who became his friend. Fascinated by what he saw as the bright prospects of the Philippines, Jimenez decided to stay for good and became an adviser to the president, who called him a "corporate genius." Mark Jimenez was later on elected as a congressman representing the sixth district of Manila. While in Congress, he introduced many meaningful bills, including the House version of the money laundering law. But he was later on indicted in the US for contributing excessively to the political campaign funds of President Bill Clinton.

Rather than plunge the Philippines and the U.S. Government into a political crisis by insisting on his Constitutional rights as a people's representative, Jimenez voluntarily gave himself up to American authorities in 2003. In the U.S., he was sentenced to two years in jail at the minimum security Allenwood Federal Correctional Institution in Pennsylvania.

Crusader for justice, beloved champion of the poor
He returned to the Philippines in December 2005 and immediately went into seclusion in a monastery in Bukidnon for prayer and meditation. Afterwards, he started his crusade to help the deprived and abused members of society, as well as the victims of calamity and injustice. Jimenez shelled hundreds of millions of pesos to help typhoon victims in various provinces in Central and Northern Luzon, and victims of the Mayon volcano eruption in Bicol. Jimenez also gave P50 million pesos to over 40,000 victims of the Pacific Educational Plans and the College Assurance Plan, which refused to pay maturing educational plans of their planholders. Jimenez lambasted the management and owners of these educational plans for their unconscionable manipulation.

He also denounced smugglers of food commodities and agricultural produce whose illegal activities bring hardships to small farmers and other producers. He loudly protested attempts by the justice secretary to meddle with the work of the Supreme Court. His philanthropic activities and denunciation of what he feels are injustices against the small and ordinary members of society have earned him the ire of powerful people and other influential personalities.

Jimenez has expanded his philanthropic crusade to Cebu, Negros Oriental, Palawan, Davao, and Romblon. Soon, he plans to cover the whole country. Wherever he goes - be it in a restaurant, a hotel, in the church, or on the streets distributing foodstuffs and religious items - Jimenez is being mobbed by people. Near riots frequently occur in places where he appears. People deeply appreciate the assistance and concern Jimenez show them without expecting anything in return. .

He also embarked on a personal calling to bring back spirituality in people's lives by giving away rosaries, holy water, and posters of the Divine Mercy. Starting with about 273 chapels in Manila, he has expanded another project of his to renovate chapels across the country and bring back the ringing of the Angelus in order to remind people to pray.

Since his return in December 2005, it is estimated that the businessman-philanthropist has already given away some P500 million of his own wealth to charity and various other causes. To those who question his motives, Jimenez repeatedly states that he has no plans to run for any position in government.

The "Dove of Peace" Awards
The "Dove of Peace" Awards seek to provide the much-deserved prominence, honor and recognition to such important contributions in defending, preserving, nurturing and promoting peace and justice in our troubled land. The awards seek to recognize outstanding Filipino achievements in promoting a culture of peace and non-violence in the following categories: youth, media, civil society advocacy, sports and entertainment, business enterprise, government, education, peacekeepers, and philanthropy. It will also honor similar outstanding achievements that foster world understanding and promote friendship among nations.

This year's Awards is conferred to only two outstanding Filipinos in recognition of their contributions to promoting a Culture of Peace and Non-violence. The other recipient is Quezon City treasurer Victor Endriga, in the field of government (fiscal management). Both will always be referred to as the 1st Dove of Peace Awardees. This year's First Awards Night is hosted by the Rotary Club of Masambong on its Second Induction Ceremonies. It will culminate in the launching of the 2007 Annual Search for the 2007 "Dove of Peace" Awardees, which shall confer the award next year to outstanding individuals in each of the 10 categories mentioned above.

Every year henceforth, the Awards shall be conferred to such outstanding individuals in "An Evening for Peace" awards night presentations every 11th day of December. In due time, the "Dove of Peace" shall be one of the country's most prestigious and coveted awards, and attain prominence among our national celebrations, befitting the highest and most noble cause it upholds - the cause of Peace.