Jose Pidal (2003)

Summary:

In 2003, Lacson exposed the money-laundering activities of the head of the Arroyo government’s "Department of the Underground": no less than "The Incredible Hulk," First Gentleman Jose Miguel Tuason Arroyo. In the process, Jose Pidal, the name used by Atty. Arroyo to set up secret bank accounts to launder the money, became a household name.

Interestingly, the basis for the exposes - documents, photos and love letters – came from a disgruntled aide of the First Gentleman, Eugenio Mahusay Jr., before presidential guards aboard helicopters and vehicles "rescued" him.

Among the "washing machines" Lacson named were businessman Kelvin Tan, Thomas Toh, Jr. and his sister – the First Gentleman’s secretary/accountant Victoria "Vicky" Toh. Vicky Toh and Jose Miguel Arroyo were later found to be business partners.

Lacson said that with the money, Atty. Arroyo managed not only to project an honorable image in media, but also demonized his worst political enemies - Lacson included – with paid witnesses such as Mary "Rosebud" Ong, Angelo "Ador" Mawanay, and former Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces chief Victor Corpus, all of whom would meet with Atty. Arroyo at the LTA Building in Makati City.

Under Atty. Arroyo, he said, the administration’s "Department of the Underground” became the most inventive, creative, and innovative agency of grease, graft, and corruption, brokering crooked deals and assigning cronies to positions of power and make money out of them – while making the First Gentleman an honorable person before the camera.

As early as the May 2001 election, he said Atty. Arroyo had the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office disburse millions of pesos to hit two birds with one stone: To ensure the victory of Mr. Arroyo’s friends, while projecting to the Filipino people the power of the Arroyo administration for "good governance."

PCSO money went into the professional pockets of broadcasters to pay hosannas to the Arroyo administration.

Effect:

Filipinos got their first major glimpse of "corruption in high places" under the Arroyo government