BY JP LOPEZ

AN allegedly wiretapped conversation between businessman Jose "Joey" de Venecia and former Comelec chair Benjamin Abalos Sr. where the latter mentioned "$25 + 5" in commission was played by a radio station yesterday morning.

A transcript:

Abalos: Hi, Joey!

Joey: Hi, Tito Benj…I missed your call

A: Good morning! I am sorry no, I forgot the other three agencies

J: The three other agencies….

A: CIDG and…DOTC at saka yung kaibigan natin (laughter)…mag singit tayo sana ng 5 para dyan

J: Ilan ho sila?

A: Lima. Tatlo sila pero syempre kasama na yung mga tao nila dun, di ba?

J: So tingin nyo?

A: Pwede na 5…

J: Bahala na kayo…

A: So samakatuwid, yung 25 ko gagawin mo na lang 30

J: Sa inyo na yon.

A: Ako ng bahala doon sa mga agencies

J: Sa NEDA kayo na rin po?

A: Oo… Joey after that, alam mo naman I’ll be retiring. I hope I could be part of the operations.

J: Yes, yeah…

A: Thank you Joey hah? …messenger lang ako pwede na… (laughter) thank you, thank you.

De Venecia, during a break at the Senate hearing on the national broadband deal, said he had to listen to the alleged wiretapped conversation.

But he said he remembered talking with Abalos about the latter’s wish to work in telecommunications after his retirement.