The anatomy of corruption, Part 2

'Love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs,' writes St Paul to Timothy. Amen to that.

(PART 1: The anatomy of corruption)

Who really owns the 350-hectare prime property, reportedly worth P1.2 billion in Rosario, Batangas? Its mine, said TOYM awardee for entrepreneurship Antonio Tiu. But he says he owns only 150 hectares worth almost P450 million supposedly bought from a certain Laureano Gregorio. The Binays only own a modest 9 hectares bought at P10 per square meter.

Is that why the VP bewailed that the rich are after him because of his poor origins? Deja vu. When Erap was ousted, he used the same class war line. It didnt work then and it doesnt work now. Is the same spin doctor running out of sound bites?

As the intense grilling wore on, Tiu was forced to admit that he didnt have the title yet. His P11-million downpayment got him the usufruct, or the right to enjoy the use and advantages of the property. He smugly added that the title would be his after two years upon completion of the deal.

The convoluted web of alleged dummy companies was woven by lawyers of Subido Pagente Certeza Mendoza and Binay, with the help of friends, campaign contributors and legitimate (?) businessmen from the private sector. Moreover, the infamous Hilmarcs Construction Corporation is once again in the middle of the disputed transactions.

Hilmarcs chairman, Engineer Efren Canlas allegedly built the Rosario mansion with an English formal garden, a pool fit for a resort, a 40-car garage and staff house, a farm of imported orchids, an air-conditioned piggery, a cock farm, a man-made lagoon, and other amenities. Whistleblower Mercado further claimed that the salaries of the staff and the maintenance costs of the mega-farm are shouldered by the Makati City government.

Mercado claimed that Hilmarcs was paid back through the overpricing of various Makati constructions. Apparently, Ospital ng Makati, Makati City Hall, the University of Makati, Makati Science High School and the controversial P2.7-billion parking building, were all built by the suki contractor.

Furthermore, the generous sponsor of the raffle where Representative Abigail Binay won a Rockwell Grove condo was one and the same: Hilmarcs. Winning through a raffle is certainly creative. What good luck!

Continue reading here:
The anatomy of corruption, Part 2