Sometime in 1999, Jimmy Paule, Nessie Llarena and Maritess Aytona met in different occasions. Paule told the Senate Blue Ribbon committee that he first met Nessie Llarena after being introduced by a common friend. Paule went to Llarena's office when Llarena reportedly asked their common friend if he knows of someone close to DECS official. Known in inner circles as a big-time operator, having close ties with DILG Secretary Ronnie Puno, Paule could have been introduced and passed himself on to Llarena as a "powerful lobbyist".
The trio developed a deep personal and professional relationship.
Then, sometime 2003, Mrs. Arroyo, upon the prodding of her close advisers, declared her intention to seek election. A product of EDSA Dos, Mrs. Arroyo's assumption to office was, at best, through a "coup d'etat". A source said the reason why Mrs. Arroyo chose to run is to protect herself from possible attacks from the Estrada camp, who, at that time, remained very powerful and very influential.
When Arroyo announced her intention to run, an inner circle of advisers then hatched the plan to fund the electoral campaign of Mrs. Arroyo. Reportedly, the First Gentleman tasked his closest friends, among them, former DA Undersecretary Joc-Joc Bolante. Bolante is a charismatic Rotary guy, the same organization where the First Gentleman got his closest allies.
Bolante came up with an ingenous way to deepen the political grassroots network of Arroyo. The department which he controls at that time (Cito Lorenzo just served as prop) has an extensive rural network which Arroyo's camp needed.
Bolante came up with the program on supplying fertilizers to NGO's, PO's and LGU's. This program is a regular program of the DA. Bolante identified it as a potential support booster and possible funding source. First, its budget comes from the regular allocation. But since Mrs. Arroyo needs additional electoral funds, it may be that the DA increase its allocation and make the program more extensive.
Bolante then presented his plan to the powers-that-be in Malacanang. With the blessing of the First Gentleman, Bolante took over Cito Lorenzo, who, according to sources, remain clueless and uninformed about what Bolante was doing inside a department which he reportedly heads.
(wait for the next one
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you very much for reading my blog. You inspired me. But if you intend to put your name "anonymous", better not comment at all. Thanks!