NEWSFLASH

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COMPUTER CZAR GATES
ENTERED PALACE BACKDOOR

Manila, April 5, 1998 - Microsoft Corp CEO Bill Gates was in Manila last week and met with President Fidel Ramos for half an hour at Malacanang. The computer magnate was also in a conference at the Peninsula Manila and in his speech said although computers is his favorite product "food should still be priority" when it comes to comsumer world needs.

The conference was attended by several hundreds of businessmen, government officials, educators and reporters who were easily taken in by the Gates charisma with a promise for the so-called digital nervous system to connect businesses, government and schools in one seamless network to access and share information.

Gates eluded a group of protesters from the non-government organization, the Philippine Greens, picketing the entrance to the Peninsula Manila denouncing mainly the government's moves to protect intellectual property and Microsoft's monopoly of the global software industry.

In his visit to Malacanang, Gates evaded the reporters and palace staff as the helicopter that transported him landed on the presidential guard compound on the opposite banks of the Pasig River. He, then rode a barge to cross the river and entered a backdoor which the late Ferdinand Marcos and his family used when they escaped the palace during the 1986 EDSA revolution.

Gates was in the country for a 24-hour visit to share his expertise on information technology (IT) and help the government come up with a communication strategy that would push the Philippines ahead of its neighbor in the 21st century.

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