MALACAÑANG on Friday affirmed, citing Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra, that the casino deal between Nayong Pilipino Foundation Inc. (NPFI) and Landing Resorts Philippines Development Corporation (LRPDC) is “void ab initio,” or void from the beginning, and therefore “definitely for cancellation.”
“According to the Secretary of Justice, the contract of Landing with Nayong Pilipino is a build operate transfer contract disguised as a lease contract,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque said in a press briefing, Friday.
“Because it is BOT project, it should have complied with the BOT law including public bidding,” he added.
Malacañang on Aug. 8 said the President has ordered the DoJ to review the contract, on the heels of his firing the entire NFPI board. The Department on Thursday confirmed it has transmitted its findings to the Palace.
Further, the Spokesperson confirmed this effectively dismisses the contract between Nayong Pilipino and LRPDC on the $1.5-billion casino-resort project in Entertainment City.
“Definitely for cancellation dahil nasusugan na po ni Secretary Guevarra iyong nauna nang opinion ni Presidente na flawed ang contract,” Mr. Roque said. (Definitely the contract is for cancellation because Secretary Guevarra has affirmed the President’s earlier opinion that the contract is flawed.)
“I hope the Presidential Commission on Corruption will take the lead and file the necessary complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman,” Mr. Roque also said.
He added: “Or I hope the Ombudsman, under the new Ombudsman, will initiate motu proprio investigation dahil kinakailangan naman pong mapanagot iyong mga pumasok sa ganitong kontrata (because those who entered into the contract should be made to answer).” — Charmaine A. Tadalan

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR