PL Watch

cropped-2022-02-23-13.35.34.jpg

THIRD INDICATOR

Run by Big Money

Another pattern is corporate expansionism where millionaires and business owners themselves buy franchises of an existing or a new partylist to self-preserve and/or expand corporate interests thru policy-making especially in local jurisdictions.

Phiippine Society for Industrial Security Partylist is linked to an industrial security agency. Giant partylist, Ako Bicol’s representative also served as  Chief Executive Officer, Sunwest Group of Companies and Chairman of the Board, Misibis Bay Resort. Akma PTM Partylist nominee Michael Kida is member of the board of trustees of Agri Business firm AMAVI which received a PHP 950 million investment to develop BARMM plantations. BPO Partylist nominee is entrepreneur Michael Cubos is the founder of homegrown Performance 360 Call Center and BPO Services. Agri Partylist representative in the 17th Congress has been reported to have 250M net worth, 400% higher than when she entered congress. Behemoth LPGMA Partylist nominee also owns several businesses related to petroleum, renewable energy, trading, banking and real estate. 1Pacman is another example, with the partylist’s first nominee Mr. Mikee Romero one of the 50 wealthiest individuals in the Philippines with a net worth of over 135 million USD.