MANILA, Philippines - A report by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) has revealed that the biggest donors for the election campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte own companies that do business with the government.
Based on the report released on Monday, December 5, 89% of the P375-million campaign fund were donated by 13 donors. Most of Duterte’s biggest donors were businessmen from Davao.
The firebrand leader’s top contributor, Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio ‘Tony Boy’ R. Floirendo Jr., who donated a total of P75 million, is the chairman and stockholder of Tagum Agricultural Development Company Inc. (TADECO). The company has a long-term joint venture agreement with the he Bureau of Corrections.
Samuel Uy, who gave P30 million for Duterte’s campaign, is a stockholder in several companies such as DIMDI Centre Inc. and DIMDI Builders Center Inc., which are suppliers of photocopying machines, television sets, air-conditioning units and other appliances in various government offices in Davao.
Lorenzo Te, along with Duterte and Uy are stockholders of Honda Cars General Santos Inc. and incorporators of Poeng Yue Foundation, which aims to “extend assistance, financial or otherwise, to cancer patients with special focus on children suffering from said disease.” Teo gave P30 million for the former mayor of Davao City’s national campaign.
Duterte also accepted donations from Felix Ang, an incorporator, stockholder, and chairman of Cats Asian Cars. The said company landed a deal with the Social Security System for the supply and delivery of one brand new sedan in October 2016.
Another donor, Marcelino C. Mendoza, who donated P14.5 million, is a stockholder of Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc. The said company is owned by former senator Manuel B. Villar Jr. After winning presidency, Duterte appointed Villar’s son Paolo as the secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Brothers Tomas and Nicasio Alcantara, who contributed a total of P 30 million, are stockholders of Alsons Development and Investment Corporation. The said company operates power generation facilities cross Mindanao including diesel-power facilities in Zamboanga City, Sarangani and Iligan City.
Last July, Dennis Uy, who gave P30 million for the campaign, was appointed as presidential adviser for sports. Salvador Medialdea, now Executive Secretary, gave a total of P1.5 million to Duterte.
Interestingly, Duterte’s running mate Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino, who both donated huge amounts for the campaign, hold no appointed position.
According to Atty. Rona Ann V. Caritos Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE), appointment of campaign donors to government posts is not legally prohibited.
“But all these things that are not prohibited in law do not necessarily mean that they are right,” she said.
For Ariel Ronquillo of Commission’s Office for Legal Affairs, it’s natural for the president to appoint people whom he trusts.
“You will appoint those you’re comfortable with because these are the people who will help you deliver the promises that you made during the campaign — to deliver the services that you want to deliver to the people,” he said.
--Mini, The Summit Express
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| President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Photo Credit: Presidential Communications |
The firebrand leader’s top contributor, Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio ‘Tony Boy’ R. Floirendo Jr., who donated a total of P75 million, is the chairman and stockholder of Tagum Agricultural Development Company Inc. (TADECO). The company has a long-term joint venture agreement with the he Bureau of Corrections.
Samuel Uy, who gave P30 million for Duterte’s campaign, is a stockholder in several companies such as DIMDI Centre Inc. and DIMDI Builders Center Inc., which are suppliers of photocopying machines, television sets, air-conditioning units and other appliances in various government offices in Davao.
Lorenzo Te, along with Duterte and Uy are stockholders of Honda Cars General Santos Inc. and incorporators of Poeng Yue Foundation, which aims to “extend assistance, financial or otherwise, to cancer patients with special focus on children suffering from said disease.” Teo gave P30 million for the former mayor of Davao City’s national campaign.
Duterte also accepted donations from Felix Ang, an incorporator, stockholder, and chairman of Cats Asian Cars. The said company landed a deal with the Social Security System for the supply and delivery of one brand new sedan in October 2016.
Another donor, Marcelino C. Mendoza, who donated P14.5 million, is a stockholder of Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc. The said company is owned by former senator Manuel B. Villar Jr. After winning presidency, Duterte appointed Villar’s son Paolo as the secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Brothers Tomas and Nicasio Alcantara, who contributed a total of P 30 million, are stockholders of Alsons Development and Investment Corporation. The said company operates power generation facilities cross Mindanao including diesel-power facilities in Zamboanga City, Sarangani and Iligan City.
Last July, Dennis Uy, who gave P30 million for the campaign, was appointed as presidential adviser for sports. Salvador Medialdea, now Executive Secretary, gave a total of P1.5 million to Duterte.
Interestingly, Duterte’s running mate Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino, who both donated huge amounts for the campaign, hold no appointed position.
According to Atty. Rona Ann V. Caritos Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE), appointment of campaign donors to government posts is not legally prohibited.
“But all these things that are not prohibited in law do not necessarily mean that they are right,” she said.
For Ariel Ronquillo of Commission’s Office for Legal Affairs, it’s natural for the president to appoint people whom he trusts.
“You will appoint those you’re comfortable with because these are the people who will help you deliver the promises that you made during the campaign — to deliver the services that you want to deliver to the people,” he said.
--Mini, The Summit Express
