January 8th, 2025 – Malacañang Palace, Manila.
The ceiling fans in the presidential study turned lazily, though the air was already chilled by the palace's air conditioning. President Ferdinand A. Farcos sat behind his ornate desk, papers stacked high, a glass of water resting on one corner. His Chief of Staff, Secretary Ramon Villanueva, stood opposite him with a slim folder in hand.
"Mr. President," Villanueva began carefully, "we've received a formal request for an audience. A CEO wishes to speak with you directly."
Farcos didn't look up immediately, his pen scratching across a document. "Another one of those businessmen looking for tax breaks? Who is it this time?"
Villanueva hesitated, then answered, "A Mr. Timothy Guerrero."
The president stopped mid-stroke, finally raising his eyes. "Guerrero?" He frowned. "I don't know that name. Some old-money clan?"
