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By Maricel V. Cruz Reporter
The House of Representatives will
investigate the controversial National Broadband Network contract
awarded to ZTE Corp. of China and will summon two Cabinet members on
September 12.
Among those to be summoned are
Secretaries Leandro Mendoza of the Department of Transportation and
Communications (DOTC) and Peter Favila of the Department of Trade
and Industry, said the minority leader, Rep. Ronaldo Zamora of San
Juan at a news conference Monday. The secretaries are to appear
during “question hour” that was scheduled by the House Committee
of Rules.
“Some of our colleagues from
the minority will question the officials responsible in the approval
of the contract,” Zamora said, as he clarified that question hour
will be different from a congressional inquiry.
Zamora could not tell yet however
if Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos will be
summoned, too. His presence, according to Zamora, would depend on
the “weight” of his involvement on the issue.
Once irregularities in the
contract are established, Zamora said, charges will be filed against
those involved.
Zamora said the government
officials should have known they would be subject to “criminal
liability” because it was signed during the recent election
period. He was particularly critical of DOTC officials, because the
contract was reported missing shortly after it was signed in April.
Others were equally critical.
Former congressman and now Iloilo
Gov. Rolex Suplico said the contract is “illegal” because it did
not undergo public bidding.
Nueva Ecija Rep. Carlos Padilla
of the opposition filed graft charges against Mendoza and two DOTC
assistant secretaries for approving the contract.
After filing the case, Padilla
delivered a privileged speech that linked Abalos to the
controversial project. Abalos has since admitted to knowing and
playing golf with ZTE officials but denies having any part in the
deal.
The agreement was made on April
21 in Boao, China, where no less than President Arroyo was the
witness.
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