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A senior lawmaker and a close ally of Malacañang is on the brink of
losing his seat as chairman of the House Committee on Legislative
Franchise because of alleged inaction on a legislative franchise
linked to a close associate of the Arroyos.
This was tipped off by an informant to selected
journalists covering the House of Representatives.
Asked not to be named, the source, a member of
the reform committee formed by Speaker Prospero Nograles,
revealed they were scheduled to have a meeting late Wednesday
afternoon to discuss the reorganization of the House committees,
adding one of those being eyed for replacement is Committee on
Legislative Franchise Chairman, Rep. Ferjenel Biron.
Pending before Biron’s committee is the
application for a legislative franchise of the Monte Oro consortium,
which is headed by businessman Enrique Razon.
Monte Oro won the bid for the National
Transmission Corp. when it tendered an offer of $3.8 billion even if
it has yet to acquire a legislative franchise. The firm’s bid is
way below the $6 billion of La Costa, which was disqualified in the
pre-qualification bidding conducted by the Power Sector Assets and
Liabilities Management Corp.
“Why the Monte Oro [consortium] was allowed to
bid in the state-owned power sector grid despite not having a
legislative franchise is now the subject of a congressional
inquiry,” the source said.
The member of the Reform Committee said the
House leadership is highly considering the replacement of Biron, who
is identified with former Speaker Jose de Venecia.
-- Sammy Martin
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