Hanjin officials snub Senate probe

Officials of the South Korea's Hanjin Heavy Industries Corp. have snubbed the Senate's inquiry into bribery and extortion allegations between the company and some local officials over the construction of a $2 billion shipyard in Mindanao.

Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and sister, Pia, heads of the blue ribbon committee and committee on environment and natural resources respectively, expressed disappointment that Hanjin could not even send a single representative to attend the hearing.

Hanjin president Jeong Sup Shim was among those invited as resource person.

"When you are invited to committee hearings, this will be a good opportunity to give your side," Senator Alan Cayetano said at the start of the hearing.

"You have a presumption of innocence and you are here as resource persons so that you can clear the name of your good corporation," he said.

His sister and co-chairperson, Pia, shared the same sentiment, saying she was surprised that Hanjin did not even bother to send word why it could not participate in the inquiry.

The lady senator said she was also surprised that the administration "allows this attitude by one key investor" in the country.

The investigation stemmed from the reported claim by Tagoloan Mayor Paulino Emano that he was offered P400 million by the Korean company to pave the way for the construction of the shipyard project in Misamis Oriental.

But Hanjin countered that some mayors tried to extort money from the company.

Both parties later denied making such allegations. By Maila Ager - INQUIRER.net