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Mike Arroyo: ‘I never rigged any bidding’


MANILA, Philippines - First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo is confident that he will be exonerated in the Ombudsman’s investigation on the alleged rigging of bids in some World Bank-funded road projects. This was after the Ombudsman’s Field Investigation Office (FIO) recommended the conduct of a preliminary investigation only on 17 former and current Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials in connection with the anomaly. "I am confident. There's nothing there against me. I've never met that guy Suzuka. I never met any contractor there. I never rigged any bidding," said Mr. Arroyo in an exclusive interview aired over GMA News’ “24 Oras." Suzuka was one of the contractors who allegedly informed the World Bank on the alleged bribes that marred the road projects. The alleged anomalies in the said project were compiled in a report prepared by the World Bank. In it, Mr. Arroyo was accused of pocketing five percent of the project cost. Mr. Arroyo said there’s no evidence that could substantiate that accusation. Assistant Ombudsman Mark Jalandoni on Wednesday said they would be summoning the three witnesses who mentioned Mr. Arroyo in their affidavits that were used as basis for the World Bank report. “We will be calling the three witnesses and will confront them regarding their statements wherein they implicated several other personalities," he said. Jalandoni clarified that what they have just released was only the first findings of their fact-finding investigation wherein they were able to establish collusion between and among the members of the DPWH-Bids and Awards Committee and the bidders. - GMANews.TV
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