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By Angelo S. Samonte, Reporter
President Arroyo will try to repair the damage
created by the National Broadband Network project controversy as she
visits China this week, a senior official said.
Presidential Management Staff chief Cerge
Remonde said a diplomatic row between the two countries has
developed as a result of accusations that China tolerates corruption
and the Philippines’ reaction, which was to temporarily suspend
major deals made with that country.
“We cannot evade the fact that the scandal
hurt China; that’s why the President is going there again to
ensure that the damage created by the NBN scandal is repaired,”
Remonde said. “After all, we can’t ignore China’s regional
influence and importance.”
The Chinese government is “unhappy” with the
string of agreement suspensions by President Gloria Arroyo’s
administration, warning that future loans for the Philippines from
Beijing could be adversely affected.
Two weeks ago, the government suspended the
Cyber-Education Project and broadband deal, which was earlier
halted by a restraining order by the Supreme Court. After that, the
Department of Agriculture announced the suspension of two agreements
with China for the lease of 1.4 million hectares of land in the
Philippines.
Soon after the project suspensions, the Palace
said it would conduct review of all Chinese projects in the country
to ensure transparency.
The President announced that she created a
special panel that will oversee projects under China’s official
development assistance.
Trade Secretary Peter Favila will head the China
Projects Oversight Panel as the overall coordinator of the
Philippine-China framework agreement. Budget Secretary Rolando
Andaya will be the chairman of the government procurement policy
board. And Remonde will chair the pro-performance group. The
government will invite a Church leader and a representative of the
union of local authorities as members.
Earlier, official statements from the Chinese
Embassy in Manila contradicted what Remonde said about Filipino-Sino
relations. Chinese officials said they respect the government’s
actions and were monitoring the latest on the deal landed by ZTE
Corp., which has asked the Supreme Court to lift its restraining
order.
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