The resurgence of kidnapping for ransom and other money-making crimes such as illegal or “guerilla” POGO operations during this election campaign point to the very real possibility that dirty money has already reared its ugly head in Philippine politics.
I used to hear from politicians and campaign managers that in a political campaign, the only objective is to win, and since this cannot be ensured without money and logistics, funds are needed for the highly expensive political campaign activities that we have.
And in the sourcing of funds, they say, candidates do not ask if the donors are giving money from legal business endeavors, or from shady activities.
The important thing is there’s money to be spent for posters, barkers, vehicles, gasoline, printing, tarpaulins, sample ballots, food, transportation, allowances of watchers and campaign staff, etc.
Who knows if the millions of pesos generated by the bustling kidnapping industry and illegal POGOs are funneled into current political campaigns?
—o0o—
Voters in Quezon City are amazed at the high-profile campaign of congressional candidate
Rose Nono Lin in District 5.
Rose wanted to be congresswoman very badly, and obviously has access to a huge war chest of funds to make this dream come true.
The candidate and her husband have good business connections, and one of them is businessman Michael Yang. If this name rings a bell, Mr. Yang used to be an economic adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
There had been reports that Michael Yang was involved both in POGO operations and trafficking of illegal drugs, which I do categorically do not believe. It is hard to find incontrovertible evidence on Michael’s alleged wrongdoings.
Rose Nono Lin’s name became famous just like Bamban Mayor Alice Guo because of their appearances in the public hearings of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee and other committees.
Alice Guo engaged with the Senate inquiry on POGO operations in Bamban, Tarlac and Porac, Pampanga.
Meanwhile, Rose Nono Lin appeared before the Senate committee in connection with the Pharmally scandal about the government procurement of Covid-19 supplies.
At the Senate inquiry, Rose said she is the corporate treasurer of Pharmally Biological which has no connection with Pharmally Pharmaceutical. Her husband, Alan Lin also known as Lin Weixiong, was reported as the financial manager of Pharmally Pharmaceutical.
In a Senate hearing, she amused the lawmakers by declaring that she just woke up and found luxury vehicles in her garage.
Sources said Rose Nono Lin filed a certificate of candidacy as congressional aspirant of District 5 in QC in 2021. Her residency requirement was assailed as she had just acquired her Quezon City property in June, 2021.
—o0o—
As the political campaign rolls on, the Commission on Elections en banc and its chairman, George Garcia, issued the timely warning to both candidates and their leaders and managers, and the voters in general, to refrain from this evil and anti-democratic crime of vote buying.
Such admonition is very much apt to the political players in QC District 5, as it is in many other parts of the country.
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