Solon: Mining contract with ZTE disadvantageous to govt

MANILA, Philippines - Gabriela Representative Luzviminda Ilagan on Monday said the contract with ZTE International Investment Limited over a mining site in Compostela Valley in southern Philippines is grossly disadvantageous to the government. During the House Justice committee's hearing on the impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Ilagan said the memorandum of understanding signed by Trade Secretary Peter Favila with ZTE in 2006 will give 90 percent control over the Diwalwal mining site and only 10 percent to the Philippine government. Ilagan said also present during the signing was then presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor. "Ang pagtataksil sa sariling bayan ay nangangahulugan ng pagtataksil ng Pangulo sa kanyang katungkulan (Betrayal of the country means the President's betrayal of her duties)," said Ilagan, adding that President Arroyo could be held liable for the decisions of her Cabinet members as they are her "alter-egos" in government decision making. The lawmaker, who was one of the endorsers of the impeachment complaint, likewise questioned why the contract went to ZTE when it was not experienced in handling mining operations. "Ang kompanyang itong ZTE ay walang masasabing karanasan sa pagmimina kasi broadband ito, kung kaya hindi ito karapat dapat na pagkakatiwalaan ng gobyerno lalo na sa pagmimina (This ZTE company has no big experience in mining because it handles broadband, so the government should not trust it with mining operations)," Ilagan said. Ilagan claimed that Mt Diwalwal, which is located in Monkayo town and which covers about 8,100 hectares, has over 2 million metric tons of gold worth about $1 billion. Ilagan's testimony forms part of the pro-impeachment panel's arguments on why President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo should be impeached. Former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr, Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza, and Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo had earlier recited the facts concerning the topics assigned to them: De Venecia on the ZTE national broadband network mess, Maza on the alleged bribery of congressmen, and Ocampo on alleged human rights violations under the Arroyo administration. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV