LEAKIPEDIA | Dealing with an unhireable diplomatic consultant

In diplomatic receptions and embassy gatherings, one would often notice a familiar figure — always well dressed, always confident, and rarely without a driver waiting nearby.

Let’s call him DE, short for Delusional Expert.

For years, DE has marketed himself as a master of international cooperation — the man who could supposedly stitch together projects between foreign governments and Philippine agencies. He appeared to glide effortlessly through the corridors of power, from one administration to the next, carefully keeping his political colors invisible as long as the projects — and the fees — kept flowing.

And flow they did.

Through four administrations, DE reportedly secured multimillion-peso projects across several government agencies. Success fees were said to follow, quietly and efficiently.

His strategy, according to insiders, was simple but refined through time: Start with a polished template proposal, add generous doses of wine-and-dine diplomacy, sprinkle the right buzzwords about international cooperation, and wait for a willing department to take the bait.

Some insiders now joke that DE didn’t really bring new ideas — just a well-worn booklet of templates that he recycled with remarkable confidence.

Promoveatur ut amoveatur. Promote him so he can be removed.

One government department, apparently aware of DE’s roaming consultancy, decided to try a different tactic. Instead of letting him roam freely from project to project, they offered him a regular government position — a comfortable post where his supposed expertise could finally be put to structured use.

The offer came with standard requirements: curriculum vitae, recommendations, and the usual paperwork.

Everything was in order.

Except for one small detail.

The NBI clearance.

When the department followed up, DE reportedly admitted he could not obtain one. The reason, he said rather casually, was that several estafa cases filed against him remained unresolved.

The room, according to THEPHILBIZNEWS source, went quiet.

For years, the man who moved easily through agencies and embassy receptions had been presenting himself as an international “expert.” Now officials realized they had nearly hired someone who couldn’t even pass the most basic test of public service eligibility.

Word spread quickly through bureaucratic corridors.

And suddenly, the expensive suits, the embassy circuits, and the polished proposals began to look very different.

As for DE, he remains active in the ecosystem where consultants thrive — floating from one opportunity to another, armed with the same templates and the same promises.

One clue for those playing the guessing game: DE is said to be related to a once-admired government personality whose name later became infamous for entirely different reasons.

In the meantime, agencies may want to remember that not every well-dressed guest at a diplomatic reception is there for diplomacy.

Some are simply there for the next project.