MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the Department of Justice to review the lease contract between Nayong Pilipino Foundation and Landings Resorts Philippines Development Corp. for the construction of a $1.5-billion integrated resort-casino in Parañaque City.
“Sinabi po ni Presidente na pina-review niya po iyong kontratang iyan kay Secretary Menardo Guevarra ng DOJ,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said a day after Duterte sacked all Nayong Pilipino officials who approved what he called a “ridiculous” lease of government property.
“Sa tingin po ng Presidente, ang tawag po niya sa kontratang iyan ay ‘flawed,’” added Roque.
Duterte has pointed out the need for public bidding in government projects, the spokesman said.
“Sabi po niya at mayroon pong impormasyon na dapat kasi daw po iyan ay dumaan sa isang public bidding dahil hindi naman po ito isang TIEZA project, hindi ito isang PEZA project,” said Roque.
“Nagtataka nga bakit hindi dumaan kasi iyon iyong exception, na kapag idle land na pag-aari ng isang TIEZA- or PEZA-accredited industry ay pupuwedeng hindi ito dumaan sa bidding,” he added. “Pero ito naman po walang ganoong accreditation iyong Landings, e dapat po talaga dumaan sa public bidding iyan.”
TIEZA, or the Tourism Infrastructure and Economic Zone Authority, is the Department of Tourism’s implementing arm in providing support infrastructures and facilitating investments in Tourism Enterprise Zones.
On the other hand PEZA, or the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, is an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry tasked to help promote investments in the export-oriented manufacturing and service facilities inside Special Economic Zones.
Nayong Pilipino chair Patricia Yvette Ocampo had denied any irregularity in their lease contract with Landings Resorts Philippines Development Corp.
“I strongly deny accusations that there was graft and corruption. On the contrary, the lease contract with Landing International Development Ltd. is aboveboard and highly advantageous to the government and the Filipino people,” she had said./PN
