1.) Who is Mark Jimenez? How did he amass his wealth?

Mark “MJ” Jimenez, also known as Mario Batacan Crespo, the man behind the Hulog ng Langit Foundation, was born in Paco, Manila on December 31, 1946.

MJ entered the Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Makati when he was 12 but he stayed there for only three years. He spent the rest of his education at the Ateneo de Manila University where he pursued a degree in Economics. He married at a young age and tried various jobs and small business ventures. MJ didn’t mind hard work, but due to the constant time he spent away from home, his marriage fell apart.

He later migrated to the U.S. to start a new life. He was forced to change his name from Mario Batacan Crespo to Mark Jimenez because his estranged wife managed to put him on the Bureau of Immigration’s watch-departure list. He chose “Mark Jimenez” because St. Mark was his favorite saint, and he got the family name “Jimenez” from a former neighbor and friend who helped him establish himself abroad.

MJ and his new family struggled to build a new life in San Jose, California. With a small capital, Mark Jimenez put up Apex Magnetics. The company started small by buying out-of-brand diskettes such as Verbatim and selling them at discounted prices. Two years later, the company also started selling Seagate’s hard drives.

In 1988, his family moved to Miami, Florida and there, he established Future Tech International, a firm that exported computer parts to lucrative markets in Latin America. His sharp eye for business and innovation caused him to become a very successful businessman. He dealt with computer parts and accessories in 28 Latin American countries. In the late 1990s, his company, Future Tech International, was grossing US$500 million a year and was rated by Inc. Magazine as one of the top 300 fastest growing computer firms in the U.S.

MJ was also handpicked as one of the most outstanding CEOs in the U.S. and was included in the list of Who’s Who in America.

In 1994, MJ met U.S. President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary when he attended a coffee klatch at the White House. That chance meeting blossomed into a deep friendship. Mark Jimenez played golf with the U.S. President, attended Hillary’s social parties, and often stayed overnight at the White House. He was the first Filipino to have received this privilege.

MJ became Florida’s largest donor to the Democratic Party in 1996. According to various reports, he contributed more than US$800,000 to various Democrat causes, $100,000 for the renovation of Clinton’s childhood home in Arkansas, and generously gave to the election campaigns of some Democrat senators.

2.) What is MJ’s case on political contributions in the United States about?

Mark Jimenez let his emotions get the better of him when he gave lavishly to the Democratic Party because theirs was a cause he believed in. But he suffered the consequences of his naiveté. Some even claimed he might have been a victim of racism. Others speculate that he might have been caught in the middle of a fight between two giants.

In 1992, the Democratic Party recaptured the presidency after 12 years when Bill Clinton won the elections. Although Bill Clinton was successful in revitalizing the American economy, the Democrats lost their majority in Congress in the 1994 elections. That year, the Republicans gained control of both houses of Congress for the first time in more than 40 years.

As a result, the Democratic president and the Republican Congress were often at odds. In 1996, President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore were reelected in office. Hurting from their presidential defeat, the Republicans—who still controlled the House of Representatives and the Senate— initiated investigations of alleged illegal election finance contributions of Chinese-Asians in 1997. It was like a modern witch hunt.

In other words, MJ’s case could be classified as political in nature—one with a vengeful agenda at that.

Meanwhile, MJ was visiting the Philippines in 1998 to observe the Philippine presidential election for President Bill Clinton. After the elections, he was introduced to newly elected President Joseph Estrada. The two hit it off at the very beginning and became close friends. Fascinated by what he saw as the bright prospects of the Philippines, Jimenez decided to stay for good.

MJ became an informal adviser (meaning MJ never had a contract with the government) to the president, who in admiration called him a “corporate genius.” MJ packaged and merged many corporate crown jewels such as PLDT to raise their valuation and stimulate the country’s economy. He wanted to spread the gravy, so to speak, so that the greatest number of people would benefit.

Unfortunately, in doing so, MJ stepped on so many powerful toes. Corporate and political wolves who had massively contributed to Estrada’s election on the promise that they would get the corporate jewels as part of the spoils became very angry at him. They became MJ’s secret enemies who vowed to destroy him at all costs.

Ultimately, Mark Jimenez distanced himself from the Estrada administration even before the president was impeached due to his pending case in the U.S.

MJ was later on elected as a congressman of the 12th Congress representing the sixth district of Manila. While in Congress, he introduced many meaningful bills, including the one that became the country’s anti-money laundering law. He also authored the bill raising the base pay and benefits of officers and enlisted men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

At about the same time, the American Task Force investigating the alleged election fund-raising scandals filed a case against Mark Jimenez in court. MJ was charged in the U.S. in September 1998 for illegal campaign contributions to President Bill Clinton’s campaign.

In the original indictment, there had been no mention whatsoever about tax evasion, mail fraud or conspiracy. But the extradition treaty between Manila and Washington requires that the subject’s offense must be a crime or against the law in both countries. Excessive campaign contributions, however, is not a crime in the Philippines. So, there was no way Jimenez could be extradited.

Seven months afterwards, on April 15, 1999, the U.S. elevated the indictment and included counts of conspiracy, mail fraud, tax evasion, and false statements aside from making and hiding illegal conduit contributions to the campaigns of Democratic politicians to make the extradition request valid.

MJ, who was an incumbent congressman, thought there was no clear policy or law provision that could apply to all Filipinos who found themselves in similar situations. He decided to fight his extradition so the courts could establish a precedent.

He was later vindicated when the Supreme Court made a decision on another case using MJ’s arguments, meaning the Supreme Court admitted that they made a mistake with MJ’s case. They even cited his case as a precedent– but this happened only two years after MJ suffered in jail.

While the extradition charge was in progress, his enemies saw an excellent opportunity to destroy his reputation. A systematic but secret media campaign to demonize MJ started. Rumors, innuendos, unfounded speculation and pure malicious lies and false reporting flooded the whole country for almost two years. It was a vicious attack spearheaded by media organizations and journalists under the control or under the payroll of MJ’s secret enemies in the government and in business.

MJ’s family broke down under the pressure. Some of his children stopped studying and resorted to alcohol and drugs. Unable to bear the pressures, his wife suffered seizures.

To cut a long story short, rather than plunge the country into a Constitutional crisis that would damage the diplomatic relationship of Manila and Washington, MJ voluntarily gave himself up to U.S. Embassy authorities on December 31, 2003.

In summary, MJ’s conviction was simply for illegal campaign contributions and “tax evasion” or disobedience to tax policies as a result of the excessive contributions. MJ was not charged for any criminal activities or crimes as adamantly alleged by the Philippine press. The labels that the media were peddling had been exposed as nothing but barefaced lies.

3.) What did MJ contribute in his time in Congress?

MJ was able to pass two very significant laws during his short stay in Congress. Had he not been extradited, he definitely would have been able to do more.

MJ authored and passed the Anti-Money Laundering Law of the Philippines. He also passed the law that raised the base salary of AFP soldiers and enlisted men.

Moreover, MJ became either chair or vice-chair of numerous important committees in the House of Representatives.

MJ wanted to pass a tax policy which would enforce proper tax collection of giant corporations for he believed that poverty existed because the nation’s resources did not trickle down to its people, and was instead being choked by leaders of big businesses and other officials in higher office. However, his time in Congress was cut short before this could happen.

MJ’s belief led to a large disparity with other members of Congress and government because many of those who were seated in power had vested interests in these giant corporations. To protect their own agendas, they found MJ to be a common enemy and wanted him out of Congress and out of the country. MJ’s indictment and extradition were then used for their convenience.

4.) Does MJ claim he is “hulog ng langit” (a gift from heaven)?

MJ does not claim that he is a gift from heaven. Instead, he believes that all of whom he has helped—the Filipino children, the scholars, the AFP soldiers and enlisted men, the disaster victims, and many other Filipinos whose human rights have been violated—are the true gifts from heaven. This is why they deserve to be helped; this is why they must be helped.

Hulog ng Langit is MJ’s non-profit organization for underprivileged Filipinos. He does not ask for donations as he uses his own money to fund all the projects. Despite all the millions he has spent for others, he has not once asked anyone for anything in return.

5.) What other things have MJ done that we do not know about because no media coverage was involved?

Since he came back to the country, the businessman-philanthropist has given away hundreds of millions of his own money to charity and various other causes. This feat has been unequalled by any person or foundation in the country.

MJ did not seek attention from mainstream media as he went about his philanthropic deeds. Upon his return to the Philippines in December 2005, he immediately went into seclusion in the Monastery of Transfiguration in Bukidnon to spend time in prayer and meditation. Afterwards, he formed Hulog ng Langit and started his crusade to help the deprived and abused members of society, as well as the victims of calamity and justice.

As a child, MJ had a big heart and a fondness for giving and relating with the less fortunate. He had a habit of sneaking out food from their kitchen to give away to families who lived next to the train tracks. Today, MJ still remembers Ilyong, Atok, Totoy and Lourdes dela Cruz, and how they all used to play by the railroad as children.

“Maraming mayaman sa Paco noon,” recalls a now much older Ilyong. “Nandoon ang pamilya ni Presidente Laurel, Chief Justice Ricardo Paras, Speaker Jose Yulo, Speaker Laurel, at iba pa. Lahat sila ay doon nakatira sa lugar ng Paco. Pero ayaw ni Mark makipaglaro sa anak ng mayaman. Gusto niya sa amin.”

(“A lot of affluent families lived in Paco at that time,” recalls a now much older Ilyong. “The families of President Laurel, Chief Justice Ricardo Paras, Speaker Jose Yulo, Speaker Laurel and others lived there. They were all in Paco but Mark did not want to play with the children from these rich families. He chose to play with us.”)

His calling brought his sharing to Metro Manila, the provinces of Mindoro, Cagayan, Isabela, Kalinga-Apayao, Ilocos Sur, Nueva Ecija, Quezon, Aurora, Quirino, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Cebu, Davao, and many more places across the archipelago.

Here are some of the activities MJ has been heading over the years that not many know about because these were not hyped by mainstream media:

Helping victims of calamities and disasters

MJ was the first to donate a significant amount to help the victims of the recent tragedies of Ondoy and Pepeng. He gave away millions of pesos to this cause while other entities scrimped on the donations.

After this initiative, other business tycoons and organizations started to donate bigger amounts.

MJ was also at the forefront of sending relief goods worth P70 million to the families affected by the 2006 eruption of the Mayon Volcano in Albay, and to the disaster-stricken areas of Northern and Central Luzon.

Wowowee stampede at ULTRA

MJ gave financial assistance to the relatives of the victims of the Wowowee stampede even before ABS-CBN TV Station, which sponsored the program, sent their own donations.

Helping scholars

MJ also gave P50 million pesos to over 40,000 victims of the pre-need educational companies, which reneged on their responsibility to pay the maturing educational plans of their planholders.

Helping OFWs

MJ rented two Lebanese aircrafts to bring home the trapped OFWs in Lebanon when the government failed to provide them with the means to come home.

Barangay-wide feeding programs and medicinal support

Aside from delivering P20, 000 worth of grocery provisions for each family, MJ has “flooded” barangays with sumptuous food from Kenny Rogers, Jollibee, Pampanga’s Best and Goldilocks.

MJ also came to the aide of families who needed medicinal support by providing them with free medicine, nebulizers and hospitalization to those that needed it.

Massive baptisms

One of Hulog ng Langit’s landmark achievements is the “binyagang bayan” or the countrywide mass baptisms sponsored by MJ. To date, MJ has sponsored the baptism of over 30,000 Filipino children. MJ shouldered all the fees and provided each child with the clothes and shoes to be worn on their baptism day. MJ is aiming to help a million children in all.

Because of this project, the Philippines has become the center of Christian baptism in the world. Nowhere else has such massive baptisms taken place.

Spiritual healing

He also embarked on a personal calling to bring back spirituality in people’s lives by giving away millions of rosaries, holy water, and posters of the Divine Mercy. He also renovated about 273 chapels in Manila.

Housing projects

He supported the housing program of the AFP and gave P5 million to the Philippine Army’s Bahay-Kalinga project.

There have been more stories and accounts of MJ’s acts of selflessness and kindness but to list them all down would demand more time and space. It is important to note that all these and more are lost in the eyes of the public because true acts of goodness do not need the hype and publicity of the media. Other politicians rush to have their pictures taken for the papers and their events covered by the news when they “perform good deeds.” Afterwards, large tarpaulins and billboards are printed to banner their names.

MJ is content in continuously helping out other people from his own pockets, even if more often than not, people won’t know about it. Instead, most people recall the untrue negative things the media demonized him with. Unlike others, MJ has been silently helping Filipinos even if his only witnesses are God and himself.

6.) The media have tagged MJ negative titles such as “drug dealer,” “mafia boss,” “jueteng lord,” “coup financier,” “money launderer” and so on. Are any of these true?

None of this unsavory name-calling has ever been proven in the courts in the United States and in the Philippines. All these titles are lies and character attacks orchestrated by certain leaders in government, big businesses and the media to defame a man who wanted to expose their evil deeds.

According to official documents of the U.S. Supreme Court decision, MJ had no previous criminal history, and his charges are non-drug and non-violence related. He has no cases of plunder, drug dealing, coup financing, etc. filed against him.

MJ is not a money launderer. In fact, he authored the Anti-Money Laundering Law of the Philippines. What a great contradiction it would be for a man to pass a law against himself!

If you believe any of the nasty labels thrown at MJ, it is clear that you have been conditioned by the media and their deliberate framing of a man who wanted only to stand up for his principles. The corruptors of our country have demonized Mark Jimenez in public, and you are a testament to their dirty success.

7.) Did MJ kidnap his wife?

MJ was fast gaining popularity and affinity with the masses with all his projects, and again, his enemies feared that he may one day gain enough power and authority to go after them. So they once again oiled their machinery to destroy MJ. They succeeded in using his family against him. He was accused of kidnapping by his live-in partner, and of being an incompetent father, and of having an unsound mind because of his constant states in prayer and meditation.

Ironically, it is on record that MJ, the accused kidnapper, was the one being asked by the “kidnapped” to give her $10 million. And the children who accused him of incompetence and mental deficiency only wanted to muddle the issue MJ raised against them for selling one of his companies for about $40 million without his consent while he was in jail.

Also, there was no actual case of kidnapping filed.

Still, Mark Jimenez has nothing in his heart but forgiveness to all those who wronged him. He repeatedly states that he is just sharing his blessings to those who are in need.

8.) People say MJ is a criminal and that he should never again be trusted.

MJ made a mistake and he is not ashamed to admit it.

Here, it is important to note that MJ was not arrested—he voluntarily surrendered himself. He served his sentence of 24 months, and was released after 22 months on the merit of good behavior.

MJ considers his life in prison as the most glorious and joyful time of his life because this is where he realized God’s plan for him. Despite the web of controversies and human rights violations spun around him, he still sought to help those in need.

Quirky tales of his life in prison are plenty. On one particular Thanksgiving, he is said to have snuck out seven turkeys from the pantry so his inmates, foreign and Filipino alike, could come together and celebrate the feast of gratitude. He also offered medical and financial aid to his inmates from his jail cell; he also always had a way of providing them with food.

But this was against prison laws. When the authorities learned about it, MJ was punished and put under solitary confinement (bartolina). However, MJ could not stop himself from giving and helping, so he spent a total period of about five months inside the isolation chamber.

Just like his childhood Robin Hood adventures, MJ remains a steadfast supporter of the lost and less fortunate.

Now, does MJ sound like an evil criminal who should not be trusted? Or is he really a man who, beyond hurting, just gives and gives and gives?