Gordon denies role in alleged Subic casino anomaly

MANILA, Philippines - Senator Richard Gordon on Wednesday denied allegations implicating him in bribery and protectionism in the construction of a $120-million hotel-casino project in Subic, branding the accusation as a diversionary tactic. Gordon linked the attacks against him to the blue ribbon committee's release of the panel's report on the P728-million fertilizer fund scam recommending the immediate filing of charges against personalities involved in the issue. "I have absolutely nothing to do with that project," Gordon said in a press statement. Gordon chairs the Senate blue ribbon committee. The senator was not surprised that renewed attacks against him are now surfacing, saying these are mere political diversionary tactics designed to distract him and the people from knowing the complicity committed by those implicated in the fertilizer project. "The wolf packs are obviously behind these attacks against me so that I and the people would be distracted from pursuing the cases against those responsible for the fertilizer fund scam," Gordon said. Gordon expects more attacks are forthcoming as he is set to investigate other anomalies and alleged irregularities in the government. "If this is the price I have to pay for taking courage to say and do what is right for the country, then I shall bravely face my detractors. I know that the Filipino people, especially the poor farmers who were duped, are behind me," Gordon said. On Tuesday, Felino Palafox Jr. of Palafox Associates-Woodfield Consultants, Inc. implicated Gordon and four other personalities in the alleged bribery and protectionism in the construction of a hotel-casino project in Subic. Palafox said during the hearing of the House committee on bases conversion that the five were the “backers" of SBMA administrator Armand Arreza in supporting the project. - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV