Cabinet execs dragged in Iloilo center issue for ‘media mileage’ – Palace

Cabinet officials are only being dragged in the alleged overpricing of the Iloilo Convention Center (ICC) so that the issue will get more attention from the media, a Malacañang official said Thursday.

 

At a press briefing, presidential spokesman Secretary Edwin Lacierda said there is no reason for Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson and Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. to go on leave while facing plunder complaints on the alleged controversy.

 

"I think this was a personal feud by that person and [Senate President] Frank Drilon. But you know, maybe to carry more media mileage, he decided to sue Secretary Singson and Secretary Jimenez," Lacierda told reporters.

 

On Wednesday, former Iloilo provincial administrator Manuel Mejorada Jr. filed plunder raps against Senate President Franklin Drilon and the two Cabinet officials for the supposed overpricing of the ICC.

Drilon said the allegations against him have no basis. The Senate leader added that Mejorada was a former consultant who was fired for supposed misuse of the social media accounts.

DOT chief: Iloilo project to stand scrutiny

 

At the Palace press brieing, Lacierda further maintained that the bidding process undertaken for the ICC "was aboveboard."

 

"Secretary Singson has already said he can easily defend the bidding process," the Palace official said.

 

In a separate text message, Jimenez expressed confidence that the ICC project "will withstand scrutiny."

 

"I express full trust and confidence in the competence and sincerity of all those involved in the ICC project," the Tourism chief said.

 

Last month, Kabataan party-list Rep. Terry Ridon and Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago separately called for a congressional probe on the alleged overpricing of the ICC, which was funded partly by Drilon's discretionary funds. 

 

Last June, Aquino himself inspected the ICC, located at the Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao District. 

The ICC — a two-storey structure with a total floor area of 6,500 square meters and sits on 1.7 hectares of land — was built by Hilmarc’s Construction Corporation (HCC), the contractor that built the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall Building II. The Senate is currently conducting a probe on the Makati building’s construction. — RSJ, GMA News