Arroyo defends hubby, bashes critics of ZTE deal

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Wednesday bashed critics of her husband and of the government’s National Broadband Network (NBN) project that was awarded to China’s Zhong Xing Telecommunications Equipment Company Ltd (ZTE). “There are those who flowed us with tales of conspiracies that lead wells of doubt of our resolve to move on. For them, good news notwithstanding, is bashing as usual. They are men and women who peddle distrust," said Arroyo during a public speaking engagement in Manila. Businessman Jose “Joey" de Venecia, co-owner of losing NBN proponent, Amsterdam Holdings, Inc, earlier claimed that First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike" Arroyo bullied him to “back off" from bidding on the project that was later on bagged by ZTE for $329.4 million (about P16 billion based on exchange rate of P50 to $1). Jesus Santos, Mr Arroyo’s lawyer and spokesman, confirmed on Wednesday that De Venecia and the First Gentleman saw each other at Wack Wack Gold and Country Club in Mandaluyong City sometime in March. However, Santos said the meeting was just a “chance encounter," wherein Mr Arroyo, only reminded De Venecia not to involve himself on government projects because his father was a government official. The AHI co-owner is Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr's son. President Arroyo said that instead of believing in baseless accusations, people must focus on the government’s economic accomplishments and the improving state of the country’s information and communications technology. “There are positive developments in almost every index of commerce. These should buoy our hopes, cheer the market, perk up business confidence. These are the bellwethers of how we stand, not the decibel level of those who grandstand," she said. Mrs Arroyo on Wednesday lifted the gag order imposed on Cabinet officials and allowed them to participate in the Senate hearing on the NBN project. Among those asked by the upper chamber to testify were Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila and Romulo Neri, former chairman of the National Economic and Development Authority. - GMANews.TV