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Palace exec: Neri sore at media for sowing 'intrigues'


Romulo Neri, former director general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), is sore at media for allegedly trying to drive a wedge between him and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, a Malacañang official said on Sunday. Secretary Cerge Remonde, director-general of the Presidential Management, said Neri called him up early morning and “lamented" on media’s alleged attempt at sowing intrigue. A news item came out on Sunday claiming that during the September 26 Senate closed-door hearing, Neri was reportedly ready to spill the beans on the controversial National Broadband Network (NBN) project that could nail down President Arroyo. But Sen. Joker Arroyo allegedly intervened and made a motion to allow Neri to avail himself of a legal counsel before he continues his testimony. Sen. Arroyo denied the reports saying these were “terrible backbiting." “He’s been calling me, may hinanakit siya sa ating kasamahan sa media. Ang feeling niya, some elements, di lahat are trying to drive a wedge between him and the President daw, he’s really lamenting that fact (He’s been calling me and complaining that some members of the media are trying to drive a wedge between him and the president. He’s lamenting that fact)," Remonde said in an interview on dzBB radio. Remonde quoted Neri as repeatedly saying, “Bakit ganito kapatid (why is this happening brother)?" during their early-morning phone conversation. He said he told Neri to just ride out the “crisis," adding the truth will eventually come out. “Sabi ko sige lang part ‘yan ng dynamic sa democratic society natin. In the end tayo naniniwalang mananaig ang katotohanan (I told him just hang on, that’s part of the dynamics of our democratic society. In the end, we believe the truth will come out)," he said. Neri was director general of NEDA before he became chairman of the Commission on Higher Education. It was during Neri’s term at the NEDA when the proposed NBN project was reviewed. Neri said the NBN project was approved by NEDA last March 29. The project was awarded to Zhong Xing Telecommunications Equipment, Corporation last April 21 in ceremonies in Baoa, China witnessed by President Arroyo. - GMANews.TV

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