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Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita on Monday said the NorthRail
project will continue after the Chinese government expressed its
commitment to support the Arroyo administration in completing the
project.
“The Chinese government is committed to
support President [Gloria] Arroyo in this effort. And if there are
problems its because Chinese contractor had to ask for consideration
as far as contract worth is concerned, because it’s overtaken by
sudden increase in the prices of materials,” Ermita said.
But Trade Secretary Peter Favila said the
Chinese contractor wasn’t asking for additional payment and he
can’t recall any request made during his previous meetings with
its officials.
“I’ve been assigned to work on China-related
ODA’s [Official Development Assistance] and the message of the
Chinese government is to see that the Arroyo administration complete
this project,” he said.
Government critics have been asking for the
withdrawal of the overpriced $500-million NorthRail project on
allegations that it is overpriced and disadvantageous to the
Filipino people.
Critics suspect that the Chinese contractor is
asking for more money because the $150 million that was prepaid for
the project might have gone to corruption.
They said they will file criminal charges
against government officials if newly appointed North Luzon Railways
Corp. president Edgar Pamintuan gives in to the demands of China
National Machinery and Equipment Corp. Group to continue the
project.
Gabriela women’s party-list Rep. Liza Maza on
Tuesday called for the immediate termination of the contract.
She said her recommendation is based on the
issues now being raised by the China National Machinery, as well as
price adjustments amounting to over $299 million that corroborate
allegations of bribes and anomalies hounding the project.
“The termination of the NorthRail contract and
the prosecution of those involved are long overdue. The Arroyo
government has already wasted millions in taxpayers’ money and
should not be given the opportunity to waste even more,” Maza
said.
-- Angelo S. Samonte with Sammy Martin
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