One by one, he heard from delegates what they’d received from Malacañang Palace in exchange for what it called “correct” votes. One senator’s nephew, guaranteed a spot at the Military Academy. A grant, no strings attached, to a congressman building a bridge in his hometown. And for the others, envelopes of cash. At the palace, beluga caviar and Dom Pérignon and a slideshow of the questions on the table at the Con-Con, and the “best responses.” Yes to a new Parliament, replacing Congress, whereby a former President could come back as Prime Minister. No to a ban on ex-Presidents running again
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