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By Angelo S. Samonte, Reporter
Palace has denied that Social Security System (SSS) President Romulo
Neri is being used by the government as a sacrificial lamb in the
investigation of the National Broadband Network-Zhong Xing
Telecommunications Equipment (NBN-ZTE) deal that Senate is set to
reopen.
Deputy Presidential Spokesman Anthony Golez said
President Gloria Arroyo is not sacking Neri from SSS despite the
recommendation from the Ombudsman for his prosecution.
Golez said Neri would not be replaced at this
time because there’s a pending appeal in connection with the
Ombudsman’s decision.
In the same media briefing, Golez also said the
First Couple have nothing to explain on the $329-million NBN-ZTE
deal after explaining their side two years ago.
He said the Palace is confident that the renewed
Senate investigation on the botched telecom deal would have no
effect on President Arroyo and First Gentleman Miguel Arroyo since
all legal questions on the issue had been legally answered.
Golez reminded the President’s critics about a
Supreme Court ruling, saying that any evidences presented after a
year or two would no longer add weight on the case. Moreover, the
Office of the Ombudsman has cleared the First Couple on graft in
connection of the controversial NBN-ZTE deal.
Should the losing bidder, Amsterdam Holdings,
founded by Joey de Venecia, bag the deal, it would also become
controversial because of conflict of interest, he said.
Golez said it’s against the law for the de
Venecias to have business interests with the government during the
term of former House Speaker Jose de Venecia as a member of the
lower house.
In a 144-age decision, the Ombudsman trashed the
complaints filed against the First Gentleman, several government
officials and executives of the ZTE for lack of probable cause.
The Ombudsman also noted there is nothing to
connect the President to the deal because the complainants failed to
show a copy of the NBN-ZTE contract.
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