By Robert B. Roque, Jr.
I caught wind of this months ago, alongside bogus invitations to invest in supposed business ventures of the top tycoons. Groups of unscrupulous individuals are calling on suppliers, posing as representatives of big-ticket projects and sweet-talking them into issuing fat checks in exchange for an assured supply deal that actually never materializes.
It is supposed to be an outdated fraud, yet scammers will stop at nothing to exploit the lure of closing a big deal with a big-name company.
Their latest target is business powerhouse, San Miguel Corporation (SMC), whose top boss is one of the most trusted and admired tycoons in the country, Ramon S. Ang — a nation-builder in his own right.
Under his leadership, SMC invests in high-impact projects, especially in the provinces. That’s why there are new and expanded expressways, fresh energy sources, and a mass transport system in the pipeline – the MRT 7, the bulk water project in Bulacan, and the ambitious New Manila International Airport also in Bulacan, among others.
Unfortunately, SMC’s success is becoming a magnet for fraudsters that it had to issue a warning this weekend against individuals posing as SMC representatives to solicit money from potential suppliers in Tarlac, Pangasinan, and Bulacan, among other provinces in Northern and Central Luzon.
To protect the public and maintain its integrity, SMC clarified that it does not require suppliers or bidders to make any payments for accreditation or participation in project bidding. It added that all legitimate transactions are handled exclusively through its Corporate Procurement Group, with inquiries directed to smc_cpgsupport@sanmiguel.com.ph.
Hopefully, this becomes a wake-up call to business owners — whether you’re a supplier or contractor — to steer clear of these extortion-type deals. SMC is too well-established and above-board in its dealings to send out agents soliciting grease money.
A job for the CSC
A warm congratulations to Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairperson Marilyn B. Barua-Yap over her recent confirmation by the powerful Commission of Appointments.
I know it’s been barely a month since the appointment was sealed, but Firing Line would like to warm up the CSC chief’s seat with a matter of dire concern: Chinese nationals taking the civil service exams.
I believe Ms. Yap should busy herself with investigating why this is happening and put a stop to it as the new sheriff in town.
My spies have told me that during the Aug. 10, 2024 exams held at Tomas Claudio College in Rizal province, at least 10 Chinese nationals had taken the test. Not only did they take the test, they passed in results released last October, according to my spies.
I have gathered that dozens of other mainland Chinese had taken the civil service exams in different testing centers. The big question is why is the CSC allowing them to take exams intended for government employment. Kindly explain.
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