Iloilo officials rally behind Drilon on eve of Senate probe on ICC

About 200 officials in Iloilo City have expressed support for the Iloilo Convention Center (ICC) on the eve of the first hearing of the Senate blue ribbon committee on its alleged overpricing.

A coalition of Iloilo City leaders on Wednesday signed a two-page manifesto stating their approval of the ICC, allegedly the “pet project” of Senate President Franklin Drilon, and asking that the project be insulated from “political mudslinging and bickering.”

The coalition is composed of Iloilo City Rep. Jerry Treñas, mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, Vice Mayor Jose Espinosa II, eight city councilors, 177 barangay leaders and six other officials of the Association of Barangay Kagawads (ABK)

Treñas and Mabilog are affiliated to the ruling Liberal Party (LP), while Espinosa is a member of the Nacionalista Party (NP).

In the manifesto, the Ilonggo leaders said the construction of the ICC was one of the main reasons Iloilo was selected to host the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministerial meetings next year.

“The elected leaders of City of Iloilo, regardless of their political affiliations and beliefs, stand firm in their support for the completion of the Iloilo Convention Center, as it is a vital project which will be used as the primary venue of the APEC ministerial meetings… as it provides the city with a sprawling, modern and remarkable venue which could accommodate a large host of delegates from across the Asia-Pacific region,” they said.

The officials noted that Iloilo’s selection to host the APEC meetings has “brought great pride and joy to the City and Province of Iloilo” because it validates the city’s status as one of the most progressive and highly-developed cities in the country.

The Senate panel is set to commence investigation into the alleged overpriced construction of the P700-million ICC, which was partly funded by Drilon’s pork barrel allocation.

Drilon, who is facing plunder charges before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the project, has denied involvement in any anomalies related to building the ICC.

While leaders of Iloilo City acknowledged the need to audit and review transactions related to the ICC’s construction, they said “partisan politics should not be manifested in inquiries involving this matter.”

The Ilonggo politicians also criticized the sudden appearance of rumors on the alleged overpricing of the ICC, saying they came from “uncorroborated claims.”

“The welfare of the people of the city should be above all partisan activities,” they said. —Xianne Arcangel/KBK, GMA News