One of the General's backers: The Govt. Official with 230 million peso assets

He's a probinsyano---he likes to call himself one. Yet, he is one of the richest people around, although the Bureau of Internal Revenue does not know it. He owns several condo units, a big piece of property in Tanay, the hot place right now where generals spend their retirement monies, several other pieces of property in San Diego California and Metro Manila.


He started with nothing. He, however, possesses a talent which most of us don't have---a glib tongue. 


He can get away with practically almost anything---including cheating his wife who gave her the opportunity to hob-nob with the rich and famous, and therefore, get huge profits from every contract he gives them. He was once a middle level executive of the previous dispensation, yet, has amassed close to 230 million pesos in assets (again, according to him), just for being the close confidente of a former general who dominated a particular department for close to nine years. ( I think now he got more than 230 million since he gave this figure in 2005)


He got away from public scrutiny during a very big scandal that involved the department. He survived nary a scratch. He continued dealing with the Chinese on behalf of the group which was led by a former high-ranking police general. 


Aside from the deals of that department which he was appointed by the former dispensation, he also served as the conduit of the group in bagging contracts with another department, this time, for equipment and ammunition. 


He once confronted an investigative journalist in an exclusive hotel and bragged that he spends close to 20,000 pesos every month just for toll fees alone---half of his salary as a government official. He brags that the other half, he just spends for the salaries of his drivers.


During the elections, the probinsyano took sides and served as the official representative of the former dispensation with other political party. The deal? Dilute the power of the administration party, sell it to the other, and partition it. Part of the grassroots machinery of that party was "sold" to another party, a project of the probinsyano.


His son studies at the Ateneo. His family eats at Sofitel every two weeks. He golfs of course, since most of the group take a great deal of fancy in this sport of the deal masters. 


He is quite known in the Chinese businessman's circle, that's why I got his background. His problem right now? The group just promised a big deal with several Chinese businessmen which eventually got scratched. He now lives the life of a hunted. He currently deals with close associates of the new administration in the hopes of again, regaining his contacts and networks.