Sotto says Ombudsman proper body to probe SEA Games facilities deal

The Office of the Ombudsman would be the appropriate authority to investigate if there are anomalies in the government's agreement with a Malaysian firm on the construction of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games sports facilities in the country, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Friday.

Sotto made the remark after opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros called for a Senate probe on the issue.

"We garnered an unprecedented medal haul in the recent SEA Games and instead of congratulations, we will reward the people behind with investigations? Huwag ganun. May Ombudsman naman, if warranted," Sotto said on Twitter.

"Ombudsman mag-investigate. Pwede rin sa kanila [mag-]file ng complaint," he added in a separate message to reporters.

Hontiveros is making claims that the joint venture of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority with the Malaysian firm MTD Capital Berhad was "fake."

According to her, the project was funded by a multi-billion loan taken out by the MTD from the Development Bank of the Philippines, and that the BCDA paid the said loan by using taxpayer's money.

Further, Hontiveros pointed out that the loan was granted within only a month after the BCDA and the Malaysian firm signed the joint-venture deal for the construction of New Clark City sports facilities.

But the BCDA maintained that the joint venture with the MTD was above board.

It insisted that the Asian Development Bank had advised that a joint venture agreement would be the "most advantageous" arrangement for the government.

however, the Commission on Audit said the construction of the New Clark City sports facilities could have been more favorable to the government if the project was procured through Republic Act 9184 or the Procurement Law rather than incorporating it in a joint venture agreement.

Hontiveros' Senate Resolution No. 567 seeking a legislative investigation on the issue has been referred to the Blue Ribbon and Sports Committees. —LBG, GMA News