Neri to use executive privilege in Senate's ZTE deal hearing

He may be the witness who senators say could tell “something big" about a controversial telecommunications project between the Philippines and China. But Romulo Neri might disappoint the Senate on Wednesday when he testifies on the inquiry about the National Broadband Network (NBN) project. Neri told GMA News on Tuesday he would invoke “executive privilege" when senators ask him about the government’s NBN project that was awarded to China’s Zhong Xing Telecommunications Equipment (ZTE) Corp. for $329.4 million. “Hopefully they will allow me to use that (executive privilege)... I also have to consult with my lawyers on how far I can use it," Neri said. Cyberlearning defines executive privilege as the right bestowed to a President and other top officials of the executive branch of the government to withhold information from Congress and the courts. Senate President Manuel Villar Jr earlier said he belived that Neri had “something big" to say about the controversial project bagged by ZTE last April 21. Also, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Neri could provide the “missing pieces" in the alleged bogus deal. Neri was director general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) before he became chairman of the Commission on Higher Education. Lawmakers believe Neri holds key information on the NBN deal with ZTE because the proposals for the project were reviewed by NEDA during his term. But Neri evaded questions about the deal and the reported P200-million bribe offered to him. “’Wag na natin pag-usapan ‘yan (Let’s not talk about that). I have not been commenting on that and will not comment on it now," he told GMA News. When told that the same question would be asked in the Senate hearing, Neri said, “I will answer the question as truthfully as I can within certain limit because there are things that are covered by executive privilege." Neri likewise declined to answer if someone approached him to lobby on behalf of ZTE. “Bukas natin pag-usapan ‘yan (Let’s just talk about that tomorrow). There are things that I can’t say in media but I may be able to say under oath." GMA News secured a copy of the draft minutes of the “Special Joint ICC-Cabinet Committee and Technical Board Meeting" where Neri questioned the project’s similarity with other government projects and its cost effectiveness. Neri confirmed the discussions made during the board meeting. “You can see it from the minutes. The discussions are very detailed, and before that meron nang board…hinihimay talaga ‘yong project." During the meeting, he said the project should be scrutinized. “The problem is I don’t really have all the technical expertise so the NEDA technical staff assured me that it’s a good project and the returns are quite good," he said. - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV