As the ZTE Broadband deal with the government unravels, it is becoming clear that some officials were really out to make a fast buck out of the anomalous transaction. Joe de Venecia's son and namesake, who is a partner of Amsterdam Holdings which was among those interested in bidding for the broadband project, claims Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos, who brokered the deal with the Chinese, tried to bribe him with US$10 million in exchange for backing out from their bid. (No bidding took place as the project was handed over to ZTE apparently in a silver platter).
Also, former NEDA Secretary Romulo Neri stopped short of admitting that he was bribed to endorse and support the ZTE deal, claiming only that he was afraid of "karma".
Abalos claims he cannot be accused of wrong-doing since he doesn't even know what a broadband is. Duh.
The problem of course with projects that were conceived for selfish purposes rather than for public interest is that it is riddled with potholes. The UP Economics professors made excellent arguments against the deal and cast a dark cloud over why the deal had to be sealed in very suspicious circumstances.
Foreign business groups and even the US Embassy have expressed their concerns over this blatant display and attempt at large-scale corruption.
Unfortunately, this issue might end up buried in the ground soon and forgotten, as the government quietly implements it while everyone isn't looking, as another issue, the Erap verdict comes out this week and takes the spotlight once again.
Also, former NEDA Secretary Romulo Neri stopped short of admitting that he was bribed to endorse and support the ZTE deal, claiming only that he was afraid of "karma".
Abalos claims he cannot be accused of wrong-doing since he doesn't even know what a broadband is. Duh.
The problem of course with projects that were conceived for selfish purposes rather than for public interest is that it is riddled with potholes. The UP Economics professors made excellent arguments against the deal and cast a dark cloud over why the deal had to be sealed in very suspicious circumstances.
Foreign business groups and even the US Embassy have expressed their concerns over this blatant display and attempt at large-scale corruption.
Unfortunately, this issue might end up buried in the ground soon and forgotten, as the government quietly implements it while everyone isn't looking, as another issue, the Erap verdict comes out this week and takes the spotlight once again.
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