Arroyo warns influence peddlers

President Gloria Arroyo yesterday warned influence peddlers and scam artists who woo businessmen into giving them money in exchange for helping them corner lucrative government contracts.

"Extortionists and so-called facilitators do not have a place under our system. Let this be a warning to those who continue to engage in this practice. We will not rest until all of you are locked up in jail," she said.

Arroyo stated that she would show to the people, particularly well-meaning private businessmen, that government transactions follow standard operating procedures "that are transparent and are in accordance with laws".

She issued the statement as she presented to the press an alleged extortionist, architect Manuel Tolentino, who was caught bilking a private contractor during a police entrapment operation.

The entrapment followed a complaint by a private contractor, who accused Tolentino of demanding P200,000 ($4,000) as "facilitation" expenses for the immediate release of funds from the department of budget and management (DBM) for use in a government project.

The arrest was made amidst a government drive against corruption in the bureaucracy.