Image courtesy of www.filipinostarnews.net
Janet Lim - Napoles started her trade in the 90’s. Other Scammers OS had been there before her, employing the same modus operandi, but Napoles overtook them by a mile obviously because she’s way smarter and gutsier.
Most OS start on a small scale, initially with a handful of Legislators/Mayors LM to keep them thriving. Through the years, the scheme has evolved to the extent that OS have multiplied in numbers big time. Older OS turn over their lucrative trade to their children (daughters) who of course have grown very familiar with the “business.” Other than daughters, female relatives who can be trusted enough may also carry on.
One can never say that there is conflict of supply (OS) and demand (PDAF). Not so, because the scheme’s driving force is the funds - more funds means more business.
Pork barrel funds aka people’s taxes are the fuel that keep the engine/scam running. Napoles and OS are ecstatic everytime they would learn of additional taxes to be imposed by the government (like E-Vat) or when they hear of other good news (high OFW deployment/remittances) because it means higher yield for them.
However, greed and competition from rival OS have forced some of them to be more creative with their craft to get ahead.
Napoles and OS allegedly employ Agents or Contractors AC to do their bidding. AC’s are pretty, some “artista” wannabe’s or losers in “artista search” contests, some are jobless nurses, too. Others are graduates of exclusive Catholic girls’ schools, who use their looks and glib of tonque to entice these legislators to do business with them.
There are also some AC’s who operate independently and opt to be their own boss. This way, they are in nobody’s control and can do anything as they please, capitalizing on their skills and pocketing 100% of the profits. They drive flashy cars, wearing branded clothes and bags, and looking nothing but professional. AC’s are regular fixtures in the halls of Congress.
HOW THEY OPERATE
OS give workshops or seminars to their AC’s where they are taught and trained on the technical aspects of the trade, including personality development and makeover. They are taught how to use their charms to entice and flirt with LM’s, handling rejection, to be aggressive, daring, and shameless.
Once finished with the training, an AC is set out to work. But first, she will do a profiling of her target LM’s– if he is bachelor or married, 1st termer or re-elected, along with their contact numbers, and other pertinent details. AC’s are very busy during elections monitoring results and eyeing on potential winners. Once the winning candidates are set, AC’s will start contacting them to introduce themselves and their “business.”
“Senator JV Ejercito told the committee that during his stint in the House, “there are times there are a lot of beautiful ladies around (sic).”
“We called them ‘livelihood girls’ because they were peddling livelihood projects,” he said, indicating that the women were asking lawmakers if they could fund the projects with their PDAF for possible kickbacks for both the proponents and the lawmakers.” - PDI
First-time legislators are AC’s preferred targets – naïve, accommodating, easily swayed. Indeed, these girls are like vultures ready to devour their prey. Some are smart, English-speaking, celebrity-looking girls.
AC will frequent an LM’s office, bringing with her expensive gifts like Rolex watches, Hermes or LV stuff, vacation/plane tickets, GC’s – anything to bribe LM to win him over.
AC’s interest is mainly LM’s pork, but along the way, during the course of the transaction, her agenda is also to hint at sexual favors - regardless if LM is married or not. The more ambitious of them long for "affair" with LM. This way, a deeper relationship is formed and cemented - an accomplishment that can assure AC of future pork funding to her bogus NGO’s.
When that is not accomplished, AC stalks LM- texting, calling relentlessly to make follow-up. Wherever LM is, the calls never stop - in the gym, in a meeting, at a restaurant. Very often, AC treats LM out for lunch, dinner, and a lot more – till he says yes. Or AC will use her special relationship with another LM to get him to endorse her to fellow LM’s she is eyeing.
Important occasions are a must to give them gifts, too - birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, Christmas, family milestones, whatever. AC won’t leave no stones unturned to obtain that precious yes from LM. Gifts must always impress – only the pricey stuff.
On their social media accounts, AC’s would post, “Done with Christmas shopping,” accompanied by pictures of the items/shopping bags from Rustan's, Birkins, LV, Rolex.
PORK BONANZA
During bidding, veteran AC’s allegedly control and call the shots, making it appear that they are “malakas” thereby intimidating the new AC’s that often result with them backing out from their bids. Essentially, it’s a really done deal.
When pork is released, AC or OS go to the projects’ so-called “beneficiaries” to take pictures with the people who will benefit in the alleged livelihood program or with pupils and teachers for a school feeding program. Everything is only for show just to have some hint of legitimacy.
The livelihood program would turn out to be a dud, while the school-feeding program would be a one-day feeding only.
For every NGO that got the LM’s pork, OS and AC stand to earn between Php200,000 to Php10Million.
No wonder that LM’s run after their pork that got awarded to an NGO even after their term had already expired believing that technically, the pork is theirs.
SYSTEMATIC LOOTING
Both LM and AC benefit tremendously from the deal: LM for kickbacks and sexual favors, AC for pork and perks. It is not surprising when AC requests LM for an 8-plate for her Explorer.
To be fair, not all LM’s succumb to the AC's modus operandi and carnal seduction. A handful of them is still decent and worthy of the position.
The AC’s permanent presence in the halls of Congress have alarmed some people. Aware of their agenda, the Congressional wives reportedly went to the higher-up to ask that these AC’s be banned from the premises. However, they were told that it could not be done because Congress is a public place.
PARTYLIST
Some partylist groups are also reportedly into the scam to recover election expenses, especially when they feel that they don’t stand a chance at getting re-elected. A partylist group once headed by a youth leader YL and now a government department head is one of these.
Any politically well-connected individual can aspire to profit from government funds. An Uncle UN of an ex-Celebrity-Politician CP capitalizing on CP’s top connections often dropped her name in his dealings, assuring the people he dealt with of 100% project completion once they signed up. When UN sensed that CP’s connection was about to crumble, he rushed some papers’ completion and have all the VIP signatures fixed, making sure that everything was set at the 11th hour. Soon after, CP was on her own, while UN was still smiling – a clear case of midnight deal, so to speak.
The Philippines is a rich country being made poor by the political thieves we repeatedly elect into office.
Corruption has reached mind-boggling proportions - the one big cause of extreme poverty in the country. If statistics are to be believed – almost 50% of our national budget goes to corruption. That’s nearly half of our P2.5Trillion 2014 budget – or close to P1Trillion that will finance the dizzying and obscene lifestyles of our Honorable Officials and their accomplices.
Do we still wonder why we are in this pit?
“Stand up. Be bold, be strong. All the strength and succor you want is within yourself. Therefore, you make your future.” ~ Swami Sivananda
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