Arroyo's Web of Corruption: Military, Police, Business Monopolists & Local Officials Profit

A secret meeting with Philippine cabinet Secretary Romulo Neri reveals the web of corruption and political forces that has managed to buoy the presidency of Gloria Arroyo, tagged in a nationwide survey as the Most Corrupt in the country's history.

The meeting was forged amid efforts to convince former Socio-economic planning chairman Romulo Neri to testify against the Arroyos during the Philippine Senate investigation on the multi-billion NBN-ZTE kickback expose. Neri allegedly revealed in private how the military, business monopolists and local officials profit in exchange for continuing to support Arroyo. He also described the role of the Catholic bishops and the media in the administration of Arroyo.

Arroyo assumed power in 2001 following the extra-constitutional power grab from President Joseph Estrada. In 2004, she won the Presidential elections amidst allegations of massive cheating.

[Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo] profits immensely from the monopolists, and they keep her in the saddle," Neri was quoted as saying by sources who were present during the said meeting in which Lozada helped arranging.

He identified the regulated industries as power, water service, telecommunications, ports, shipping and airlines.

Neri was alleged to have admitted to the senators that the main support system of Mrs. Arroyo consisted of the military and police generals which the Chief Executive supposedly pampers with money and positions

Below them were the LGUs, who were likewise "bought"," he supposedly said, adding that Mrs. Arroyo "has most of the bishops with her" although the [Roman Catholic] Church sector is a "potential" threat to the administration...

Neri was said to have confirmed that the Arroyos' "greatest profits now come from hefty commissions from foreign assisted projects, especially from the Chinese."