Developer to also benefit from construction of Iloilo Center—Drilon

Did the government's construction of the P700-million Iloilo Convention Center play into Megaworld Corporation development plans in Iloilo City?

Senate President Franklin Drilon admitted that Megaworld stood to benefit from the construction of the ICC even after the corporation donated the more than 17,000 square meters of land to the government, GMA News' "24 Oras" reported on Thursday.

In a hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on the alleged overpricing of the convention center, committee vice chairman Senator Sergio Osmeña III wanted to know if Megaworld benefited more from the government project on the donated property.
 

"It would be an advantage to the developer, would it not? Since several hotels and office buildings are being developed there," he said. 

 

Drilon agreed to this and said that the construction of the ICC has a commercial benefit to the developer.

"That's correct. There's also a commercial benefit to the developer," Drilon said.

Drilon admitted that he and other leaders of the Iloilo talked to Megaworld CEO Andrew Tan about the property. He said the donation saved the government P500 million in the project supposedly meant to boost tourism in the province.

 

Osmeña, however, said the donation was subject to Megaworld's terms and conditions. 

 

For instance, a convention center was reportedly already in Megaworld's plans for the property they were developing. Moreover, the government was reportedly only allowed to construct a convention center in the donated land.

Even the design of the ICC followed Megaworld's specifications. 

 

"Megaworld has a master plan and I would suppose the Department of Tourism checked out this master plan in order to make sure that the convention center would be in conformity of the developer's master plan," Osmeña said. 

 

"As a matter of fact, it has been Megaworld that decided where to put the convention center and that was the piece of land that they donated," he added. 

 

Proud owners, resignation

 

The alleged overpricing of the ICC was brought up by former Iloilo Provincial Administrator Manuel Mejorada. However, he admitted having no evidence of graft during the hearing. 

 

"But there was paper trail that will bring us to conclusion that there was somebody orchestrating all this," Mejorada said. 

 

Despite the accusations, DOT secretary Ramon Jimenez and Department of f Public Works and Highways secretary Rogelio Singson stand by the integrity of the construction of the convention center. 

 

"We are proud of our role as the owners of this beautiful property. And together with the people of Iloilo, we look forward to its timely inauguration," Jimenez said. The DOT is the owner of the convention center.

 

Singson promised to resign if the accuser can prove he indeed committed graft in ICC's construction. 

 

"Kung ang nag-aakusa sa amin ay mapapatunayan ako ay nakinabang o kumito ng kahit magkano kahit isang piso sa proyektong ito, ako ay nakahandang magbitiw agad sa puwesto," he said. 

 

Drilon has denied all Mejorada's accusations. —Trisha Macas/NB, GMA News