Manuel Morato
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Manuel "Manoling" L. Morato (born November 17, 1933) is a well-known public figure in the Philippines. He is a philanthropist and a bachelor. Like another philippine public figure, current (as of 2006) Philippine senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, he is known for his tendency to issue controversial views and statements.
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[edit] Early life and career
Morato is the son of Calauag, Quezon Mayor and Quezon City's first appointed mayor Tomàs Morató. He graduated with Bachelor of Science degree in Economics at the Loyola University in Los Angeles, California. He is a successful entrepreneur and served as President of companies T.F. Ventures Inc., Philippine Plywood Corporation and Sta. Cecilia Sawmills.
[edit] Censors board
He gained the most visibility during his tenure as chairman of the Philippines' censorship agency (Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, MTRCB) from 1986 to 1992. Many movie producers, actors and directors held protests in front of his office due to his strict application of censorship, some of which were considered overboard.
[edit] Sweepstakes office
Morato was appointed chairman of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) by President Fidel Ramos in 1995. During his incumbency, the PCSO launched the very first 'On-Line lottery' in the Philippines. Like similar games run in other parts of the world, this online lottery, better known as lotto, proved extremely popular with the Philippine public. In this computerized lottery, called the Lotto 6/42, the player chooses any set of 6 numbers from 1 to 42 and wins when these numbers are drawn in any sequence during the draw date. The lotto was a big hit despite strong opposition from certain quarters. Its legality was questioned, but the Supreme Court ruled that the new lottery was legal. Since then, more lottery game forms have been added such as the three-digit (3D), the four -digit (4D), the six-digit (6D), the Mega Lotto 6/45 and the Super Lotto 6/49 draw.
Morato also spearheaded the delivery of Mitsubishi L300 custom ambulances in most municipalities in the Philippines.
In 2004, he was appointed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as director/ member of its board of trustees.
[edit] Political life
Morato ran for the position of Philippine senator in the 1992 elections but did not get a seat. In the 1998 elections, he founded Partido Bansang Marangal (National Dignity Party) and ran for the position of President with Camilo Sabio as his running mate. He lost to his nemesis, then Vice President Joseph Estrada, earning last place in the results. Together with Sabio, he again ran for the position of senator in the 2001 elections and also lost.
[edit] TV personality
Morato hosts a weekly talk show Dial-M with former actress Maggie de la Riva on state owned National Broadcasting Network. The show was initially for lotto draw results but he decided to add his commentaries and viewer phone calls. One of its episodes featured a security camera video showing Joseph Estrada gambling in a casino. The show was cutoff in 1998 when Estrada ascended to the presidency and was returned in 2004 when Arroyo appointed him as board director of the PCSO.
His life was filmed in 1998 before the Philippine centennial celebrations with the role portrayed by actor Joel Torre. His status as a bachelor up to now have led to jokes about his being a homosexual. However, he have commented on the issue and said that he has his own personal convictions and one of them is his vow of celibacy. Morato is known to be very God-fearing and a strong Christian morality fighter which is evident in his strictness in shows and his continuous attack on what he deems immoral issues.
It is said that he planned on making a new show with renowed journalist and TV show/radio host, Tony Calvento but did not push through with the latter pairing with DOJ Secretary of Justice Raul Gonzalez instead.
