Trillanes: Mislatel got preferential treatment as 3rd telco after Udenna execs’ donation to Duterte campaign

Oppostion Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Thursday claimed that the Mislatel Consortium was given preferential treatment when it was chosen by the government as the new major player in the telecommunications sector.

During the Senate Committee on Public Services' hearing on the third telco selection, Trillanes revealed that apart from Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy, other officials of Udenna Corp., which is part of the consortium, had also contributed to the campaign kitty of President Rodrigo Duterte.

"Officers and board of directors mo nag-contribute kay Mr. Duterte. So medyo lumiliwanag 'yung pagkaluto rito," Trillanes said.

"Marami akong nakikitang mali, conflict of interest, graft, indirect bribery," he added.

According to the senator, the following officials of Udenna had contributed to Duterte's campaign funds:

• Dennis Uy, chairman of Udenna and Chelsea Logistics – P30 million
• Cherylyn Uy, wife of Dennis Uy and treasurer of Udenna and Chelsea Logistics – P 1 million
• Efren Uy – board member of Chelsea Logistics – P 3.5 million
• Chryss Alfonsus Damuy, the officer-in-charge of Udenna Corp. and president and CEO of Chelsea Logistics – P500,000
• Ma. Henedina V. San Juan - corporate secretary of Udenna and Chelsea Logistics – P400,000
• Ignacia S. Braga IV – vice president for finance of Udenna and Chelsea Logistics – P150,000

During the Senate hearing, Uy initially denied that the executives of Udenna donated to the President's campaign kitty.

However, when Trillanes revealed his list, Uy said he is not sure anymore because he can no longer remember.

Mislatel Consortium - composed of Uy's Udenna and Chelsea, China Telecom, and Mindanao Islamic Telephone Co. - has been named in November 2018 as the new major player in the country's telecommunications sector.

Trillanes also asked Uy if Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Executive Salvador Medialdea, and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, who were members of the oversight committee for the third telco selection, rode in a plane with him.

The Davao businessman answered in the affirmative.

"So nakasama mo sila sa plane, period ito ng 2018. This is spanning around the time when third telco was at the peak ng pagpipili," the senator said.

"Ang members ng oversight committee kasama sa plane at the time na pinipili itong third telco... This is oozing with preferential treatment and cronyism," he said.

For her part, committee chairman Senator Grace Poe said urged Mislatel Consortium to submit all pertinent documents to clarify issues of preferential treatment.

"The best solution to remove any speculation is to really submit all the necessary requirements that are due everyone," Poe said.

"Hindi kasalanan na maging kaibigan ninuman. Hindi kasalanan na mamuhunan sa isang bagay lalo na kung makakatulong ito sa taumbayan. Napakahalaga ng isyu na ito. Kailangan mabura natin ang impresyon na meron kinilingan," she added.

Defending his capability to run a telecommunications company, Uy - who is in the business of logistics, petroleum, and retail - said that as a businessman, he can always learn.

"As a businessman, we are capable in due time to be able to learn and compete. Hindi naman ibig sabihin wala tayong experience hindi tayo puwdeng makalaban sa isang sektor," the businessman said. — MDM/RSJ, GMA News