Tricks and trends

Do you know the latest tricks and trends of the suspects and suspected in the public works scandals?

For instance, where or what is the latest go-to dining location for politicians, government officials, brokers and contractors and the deal makers? No, it’s no longer some high-end restaurant or club in the ritziest five-star hotels. Nowadays, they all go Chinese.

Last week, a friend of mine casually mentioned that he saw a former politician/businessman and contractors at a new mall just off Roxas Boulevard. Off the cuff, I assumed they were just a bunch of old fogies or golf buddies having brunch or lunch.

As it turns out, my friend was reluctant to give the full details because he and his friends were low level employees in said business district. But after reading and watching the Senate investigation and all the corruption going on, my friend decided to tell me the full details.

The real story was that a couple of ex-politicians actually shared a meal with a bunch of contractors at a very posh and expensive Chinese restaurant somewhere in a business district, just a few blocks off Roxas Boulevard.

He suspects that the meeting was a reviewer for the ongoing Senate investigation or just to share intel and give a heads up on the latest developments regarding public works projects and political blowback from the scandal.

I don’t know if it was the scallops, lobster or prawns or perhaps their culture of impunity, but “the suspects and the suspected” carelessly conversed within earshot of my friends in low places.

I have attended a ritzy wedding at that Chinese restaurant last year and judging from the food selection and quality, I confess that the food and probably the prices would have been too rich for my wallet!

What my friend found disturbing was the fact that the restaurant was now a regular destination for government officials, senators, congressmen, brokers and contractors. The cost per person per regular meal is between P4,000 to P7,000.

A lawyer who was listening shared that a client once invited him to said venue and agreed that the food was gastronomical while the prices were astronomical. Fearing that his client would expect him to pay the bill, he settled for “dimsum na lang.”

The P4,000 to P7,000 per head meals are just for us ordinary folks. It seems that our “friends in high places” love their food and are not bothered about spending because they also have an ulterior motive for eating there.

Five-star hotels used to be popular among deal makers, public figures and people who just don’t want to be seen or approached by media or autograph seekers. Hotel outlets are accessible to a large mix of people, while the popular Chinese restaurant in particular has a smaller population of clients who all value privacy.

To be clear, this article has nothing to do with the restaurant. They do business and they do it well. It is the politicians, government officials and contractors who conduct their “monkey business deals” that give the good restaurant a bad after-taste.

I explained to my friend that the “suspects” and “the suspected” were clearly being strategic and tactical in holding their business lunches or dinners at such a very pricey restaurant.

Aside from enjoying the good food, they feel secure that nosy media people can’t afford and can’t just loiter or make tambay at the venue. They would also have problems taking photos or videos because it would be obvious.

The fact that the place has become popular among many people in government and politicians shows that word has gotten around that it is now a preferred location, out of the way from the public, but very near the Senate, DPWH, Malacañang, etc.

As the saying goes: “You can run, but you can’t hide.”

*      *      *

After being divorced from the BCDA via an odd Supreme Court decision, Bob Sobrepeña who heads the CJHDevCo that built up Camp John Hay, was being convinced by go-betweens to take his money amounting P1.4 billion plus interest and walk away.

Sobrepeña declared “ONLY when the BCDA commits to honor the rights of investors, golf club members and third parties.” The demand was never honored and the third party rights never recognized.

After that, sheriffs forcibly evicted investors and residents in the complex, instructing them to go to court and sue Sobrepeña. But how do you sue CJHDevCo without suing the BCDA who was partner in the development? How do you sue someone after they delivered the “product” that you received and used for 25 years?

Instead of raising hell, Sobrepeña and company appealed to the President twice and both times fell on deaf ears.

To show his earnest concern, Sobrepeña publicly announced and published his company’s offer to turn over the P1.4 billion to the Philippine government in exchange for recognition of third-party rights.

The appeals and the P1.4-billion offer were all snubbed. In the meantime, the BCDA got their cake and ate it too. They took over the camp, hotels, as well as equipment and facilities.

Sobrepeña and partners never got the P1.4 billion that was ordered by the Supreme Court, and for his effort to have a proper closure, certain operators have launched media and legal attacks against him directly. Who is the Big Bad Wolf now?

*      *      *

E-mail: [email protected]