Palafox on a witch hunt
Gordon, others linked to alleged Subic anomaly
An architect on Tuesday implicated five former and incumbent government officials, including Senator Richard Gordon, in alleged bribery and protectionism in the construction of a $120-million hotel-casino project in Subic.
During the hearing of the House Committee on Bases Conversion, architect Felino "Jun" Palafox Jr. named Gordon, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Board of Directors member Ricardo Coscolluela and his daughter Buhay party-list Rep. Ma. Carissa Coscolluela, Pagcor Chairman Ephraim Genuino, and former Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay as the "backers" of SBMA Administrator Armando Arreza in supporting the project.
He said he initially did not want to disclose the names of the officials allegedly involved in the corruption but was compelled to do so because of death and legal threats he has been receiving and the "black propaganda" being hurled against him.
"I'm doing this for God, for country and for planet earth," Palafox said.
Palafox however admitted that he did not have direct knowledge of the alleged corruption. He also refused to disclose his sources during the House hearing, saying he had a "personal and professional commitment" to them.
The younger Coscolluela denied the allegation and challenged Palafox to substantiate his claims during the next hearing. "You had better be able to substantiate your claims against me or I will see you in court," she said, adding that all the accusers and accused must likewise appear in the next hearing.
Earlier in the hearing, Palafox alleged that there was bribery and protectionism in the process of the approval of the $120-million project.
Palafox said he backed out from the deal with Korean Firm Gran Utopia Inc. because the project's design entailed the cutting of 366 trees in the supposed construction site in Subic's Central Business District.
He however said that despite the SBMA's stance that it does not want trees cut for the project, the SBMA signed a contract with the Korean firm allowing the construction.
But Arreza said during the hearing that there was a provision in the contract that says its execution was subject to laws and to the issuance of an environmental compliance certificate by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
"We don't know why we are being subjected when there are no trees cut," said Arreza.
He also maintained that the SBMA's stance "has always been to preserve the trees."
Even as he said that the area where the hotel-casino was supposed to be built was not a protected area, Arreza said the SBMA is now helping Gran Utopia Inc. find another site for the project.
For his part, Oscar Cabayanan of the DENR said they would not likely issue an ECC to Gran Utopia if the construction of the project entails the cutting of trees. "No trees should be cut," he said. - JOHANNA CAMILLE SISANTE, GMANews.TV
An architect on Tuesday implicated five former and incumbent government officials, including Senator Richard Gordon, in alleged bribery and protectionism in the construction of a $120-million hotel-casino project in Subic.
During the hearing of the House Committee on Bases Conversion, architect Felino "Jun" Palafox Jr. named Gordon, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Board of Directors member Ricardo Coscolluela and his daughter Buhay party-list Rep. Ma. Carissa Coscolluela, Pagcor Chairman Ephraim Genuino, and former Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay as the "backers" of SBMA Administrator Armando Arreza in supporting the project.
He said he initially did not want to disclose the names of the officials allegedly involved in the corruption but was compelled to do so because of death and legal threats he has been receiving and the "black propaganda" being hurled against him.
"I'm doing this for God, for country and for planet earth," Palafox said.
Palafox however admitted that he did not have direct knowledge of the alleged corruption. He also refused to disclose his sources during the House hearing, saying he had a "personal and professional commitment" to them.
The younger Coscolluela denied the allegation and challenged Palafox to substantiate his claims during the next hearing. "You had better be able to substantiate your claims against me or I will see you in court," she said, adding that all the accusers and accused must likewise appear in the next hearing.
Earlier in the hearing, Palafox alleged that there was bribery and protectionism in the process of the approval of the $120-million project.
Palafox said he backed out from the deal with Korean Firm Gran Utopia Inc. because the project's design entailed the cutting of 366 trees in the supposed construction site in Subic's Central Business District.
He however said that despite the SBMA's stance that it does not want trees cut for the project, the SBMA signed a contract with the Korean firm allowing the construction.
But Arreza said during the hearing that there was a provision in the contract that says its execution was subject to laws and to the issuance of an environmental compliance certificate by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
"We don't know why we are being subjected when there are no trees cut," said Arreza.
He also maintained that the SBMA's stance "has always been to preserve the trees."
Even as he said that the area where the hotel-casino was supposed to be built was not a protected area, Arreza said the SBMA is now helping Gran Utopia Inc. find another site for the project.
For his part, Oscar Cabayanan of the DENR said they would not likely issue an ECC to Gran Utopia if the construction of the project entails the cutting of trees. "No trees should be cut," he said. - JOHANNA CAMILLE SISANTE, GMANews.TV
Labels: Armand C. Arreza, coscolluela, Grand Utopia, ocean9, palafox, sbma, Sen. Richard Gordon
posted by OlongapoCity Zambales at
9:22 PM
1 Comments:
TRUE TO FORM PALAFOX IS THE BOY WHO CRIED WOLF HIS BEING COACHED BY FELICITO TONG PAYUMO NO LESS THEIR GANG WANTS OCEAN 9 TO BE BUILT AT MOON BAY MARINA COMPLEX OWNED BY A CERTAIN NANI HERNANDEZ THATS THEIR HIDDEN AGENDA
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Anonymous, at 2/26/2009 9:34 PM
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