LOLONG may be the world’s biggest crocodile in captivity but reports reaching Sen. Frank Drilon that lots and much bigger crocs remain free are true!
Very true indeed, some of these bigger crocs had devoured sizable chunks of dough out of a P10-billion fund intended for the benefit of small farmers during the Arroyo regime’s fleecing orgy.
Unbelievable but true, one ravenous croc is still sitting pretty, always in wait for prey at a Department of Agriculture office.
He goes by the name Silvino Tejada, Director of Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM).
This Tejada, a holdover from Arroyo’s cabinet, was the “bagman” of avaricious officials who would shame the culprits behind the infamous “Fertilizer Fund Scam.”
I exposed this croc’s modus in this column sometime ago following the complaints of several local government executives and contractors.
The official, they cried, had duped them for millions of pesos over unfulfilled projects.
When a mayor or contractor requested funding of a farm-to-market road, it would go through the office of former Undersecretary for Operations Jesse Paras for evaluation.
And then, Paras would forward it to former Undersecretary Bernie Fondevilla.
But, before having it approved, they would have Tejada demand from the mayor or contractor a commission representing 20 to 30 percent of each project’s total cost.
I’m not much of a mathematician but I guess that P20 million easily goes to the crocs per P100 million DA project.
Tejada would demand upfront that an initial 10 percent commission “for the boys” be handed to them by the mayor or contractor.
If the mayor or contractor agreed to come across, Tejada would collect the 10 per cent upfront.
Those projects were surely funded in one week’s time.
However, several mayors and contractors are now going after Tejada because their projects never received the supposed funding long after they handed the 10 percent advance “for the boys.”
Tejada would blame the delay to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Drilon and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan are in the right track, questioning the anomalous transactions of BSWM.
Just a few months before the May 2010 national elections, Tejada’s office received P1.85 billion and made questionable purchases of shallow tube wells (STWs) and fertilizers.
So, how much kickbacks went to which crocs?
If Drilon and company want to make a big catch, they should go after this croc, Tejada.
The Senate investigation must not leave any stone unturned.
Don’t ya love these Senate inquiries? Tutok Senado!
But next week, more details about this DA multi-billion peso scam will come your way!
‘I’m not like Bartolome who likes the media’ – MPD colonel
The victim of a “hulidap” incident in Sta. Ana, Manila has sought the help of P/Director General Nicanor Bartolome, Chief of Philippine National Police (PNP), for protection after receiving death threats.
Paging, General Bartolome!
Onel Martinez, a 28-year old on-line trader, and his family, told this columnist they received threats personally from the policemen at the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 6, against whom they filed a case for robbery-extortion, grave threats and violations of the anti-violence against women and children.
The charges were filed after an investigation was conducted by the Manila City Hall Police Assistance (CHAPA) on orders of Mayor Alfredo S. Lim.
Charged were SPO2 Erwin Cortez Salanio, PO2 Josefino Cortez Callora, PO2 Nestor Tiozon Lehitimas and PO1 Michael Magno Banaag and two other cops and two “police assets.”
The victim also filed administrative charges at the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM).
Guess what, Salanio told Martnez’ wife Yves, 21, “Kahit saan ka magpunta, Crame, NAPOLCOM o kay Tulfo, walang mangyayari. May koneksiyon si Colonel.”
Martinez and his 15-year old brother, Jethro, were waylaid in a “checkpoint” by plainclothesmen, hauled to the MPD Station 6, where they were stripped and detained after the cops robbed them of P140,000 cash.
The cops demanded P100,000 more from Yves, who had to nurse a newly-born baby girl and braved rains to look for money demanded by the cops.
These crooked cops sure ruin the image of the PNP, General!
When she failed to deliver the money after two weeks, the cops planted a bag of shabu in a food pack handed to Onel by a police asset, after which the cops swooped on the detainees inside the cell.
P/Supt. Mar Reyes, CHAPA chief, called the mulcting cops’ modus “stupid.”
MPD Station 6 Commander Ricardo Layug was never available for comment but was quoted as saying, “Hindi ako tulad ni Bartolome, mahilig sa media! (I’m not like Bartolome who likes the media!)”
