Blue ribbon report on ZTE mess to be out May

MANILA, Philippines – The Senate committee that investigated the alleged irregularities surrounding the government’s national broadband network (NBN) deal with a Chinese firm is likely to release its report next month. Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the blue ribbon committee, said the report would be out middle of May at the earliest and would include the statements made by former speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. at the House of Representatives on the issue. “I will make it as part of the report," Gordon said in a weekly news forum at the Senate. “Malapit na ako [matapos] sa ZTE report [I will be able to finish the report soon]. I might be able to release it mid-May the earliest." The government awarded the $329.48-million NBN project contract to China’s Zhong Xing Telecommunications Equipment (ZTE) Co. Ltd. but canceled it after allegations of bribery erupted. The project would have linked all government offices through the Internet. Several government officials and public figures were implicated in the issue, including President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo; former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Benjamin Abalos; and De Venecia. De Venecia has accused President Arroyo of committing "a major impropriety" for allegedly socializing with ZTE officials who were seeking a contract with her government. He also said the President invited him to join her on a trip to China in November 2006, and that he didn't know they would play golf and have lunch with ZTE officials at the Chinese telecommunications company's headquarters in Shenzhen, China. The alleged anomaly in the ZTE broadband deal was bared by De Venecia’s son, Jose “Joey" De Venecia III. - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV