By VERA Files
Two whistleblowers in the pork barrel scam said Thursday that a former Malacañang consultant sold his Rockwell condo unit to Janet L. Napoles, allegedly the brains of the pork barrel scam that has dragged the names of a number of lawmakers and their staff.
Marina Sula and Benhur Luy said they saw Yamsuan twice in Napoles office in Discovery Suites. “Nagpunta kasi siya sa office sa Discovery, mayroon siyang in-offer na condo sa Rockwell na nakapangalan sa misis niya na binili ni Ms. Janet Napoles,” Sula told the Senate Blue Ribbon committee investigating the anomalous use of the Priority Development Assistance Fund.
But the sale of the three-bedroom unit was not completed because of incomplete documentary requirements, the two said.
VERA Files earlier reported that Yamsuan, a consultant in the office of Executive Secretary Paquito “Jojo” Ochoa, was fired last Aug. 12 when President Aquino learned of his links with Napoles after his name was mentioned in the interview by Inquirer editors and columnists with the controversial pork barrel operator, the transcript of which was run by the newspaper verbatim.
Yamsuan’s wife, Cathy, is one of Inquirer’s Senate reporters.
VERA Files reported that Yamsuan, who was formerly undersecretary to Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno under the Arroyo administration, was heavily indebted due to gambling. Hounded by casino loan sharks, he sold his two units in Rockwell, an upscale condominium in Makati, and some vehicles.
Still short of money to fully pay his debts, Yamsuan sought the help of a senator who called Napoles, who in turn immediately delivered the money at the casino.
(VERA Files is put out by veteran journalists taking a deeper look at current issues. Vera is Latin for “true.”)
Aha, sino ang senador na bridge ni Yamsuan kay Napoles?!
Wow, 2 units in Rockwell and some vehicles sa sweldo na USEC and consultant ni Jojo Ochoa?
Don’t know how I feel about Cathy the wife.
It’s hard to believe that Malacanang was not involved through Ochoa, a close buddy of the President as well as Yamsuan’s close buddy. It’s not hard to connect the two or three. That could be the reason why no less than Pnoy treated Napoles especially and until now VIP treatment is being accorded to Napoles while in cell. If she talks, it would reach the Palace.
I now have very many doubts about President Aquino. I guess if he could get rid of his buddies, classmates, shooting pals who works for the government I believe he really could achieve the so called “daang matuwid”. While at it, if I were him, I’d fire all the people working at BOC and scrutinize the owner and suppliers of Pure Gold. Just saying.
Kung nalulong na sa sugal, lahat ng pera ng isang tao eh ubos!
Yamsuan must know where to get “easy” money. Mabilis namang pinatalsik ni Pnoy si Yamsuan di ba? Baka nga si Yamsuan at Ochoa ang nagpalitaw kay Napoles
Nag-ala Napoles ako the other day and had coffee at the Ritz in downtown LA.
Why fired only Yamsuan ang not Ochoa since it was Ochoa who hired Yamsuan as consultant? Of Ochoa knew what his buddy had been doing.
re #1
Chi ang alam ko e sa Malacanang may bridge si Yamsuan. Pero sinibak na siya ni Pnoy at hindi siya sinalo ni Ochoa, so babalik ako sa tanong mo…… sino nga ba?
re #6
Mannie meron tayong tinatawag na kapuso, kapamilya, kapatid at meron ding kabarilan. ang sagot sa tanong mo e meron ding mista o kaklase…..
At si Yamsuan toothpick lang ang ginagamit pangkalkal…ang hinahanap natin yong gumagamit ng payloader at backhoe!