DOJ completes review of Nayong Pilipino deal with casino developer

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has completed its review of the lease deal entered into by dismissed officials of the Nayong Pilipino Foundation (NPF) with Landing Resorts Philippines Development Corp. (LRPDC).

The department transmitted its findings and recommendations to Malacañang on Wednesday, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Thursday.

He did not immediately divulge the results of the inquiry. "Let's just wait for the President's action," he told reporters in a message.

Earlier this month, Malacañang directed the DOJ to study the "flawed" contract for an integrated casino-resort in Parañaque City which allegedly lacked public bidding and was disadvantageous to the government.

The review covered "all antecedent facts and relevant documents" that will guide the government in deciding which course of action to take regarding the lease deal, Guevarra had said.

The President fired the entire board and management of the NPF, a government-owned and controlled corporation, on August 7, the same day of the groundbreaking for the integrated casino-resort project that sits on NPF property.

However, Hong Kong-based developer Landing International Development Ltd. said it was pushing through with the $1.5-B "NayonLanding" project.

“Landing International Development Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, wishes to convey that its integrated resort project at the Entertainment City in Parañaque City, Philippines, entitled NayonLanding, is still pushing through and its lease contract with Nayong Pilipino Foundation is still valid and effective,” the developer said.

“From the group’s view point, the recent decision of the Philippine government to replace members of the NPF board of trustees did not affect the validity of the subject contract of lease," it added. — MDM, GMA News