Read this first than the post below. See how Washington politics works? Pay lobbying firm $500,000 and get $198 million back. Oh, by the way, new Attorney General Eric Holder has worked for this firm since 2001.-Lou

RP signs $500,000 US lobby deal

01/31/2008 Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — The government has signed a $500,000 (P20 million) lobbying contract with one of Washington D.C.’s more influential law firms to push the country’s interests in the United States, particularly veterans issues in the US Congress, the Philippine embassy in Washington said Thursday.

In his report to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila, Ambassador to Washington Willy Gaa said he signed the contract on behalf of the Philippines, while Ambassador Stuart E. Eizenstat signed on behalf of International Practice of Covington & Burling LLP as its chair and partner