DOJ forms prosecutors' panel to probe NBN deal

The Department of Justice has formed a prosecutors' panel to look into alleged irregularities in the $329.5-million national broadband network deal with ZTE Corp. of China. Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez ordered Usec. Ernesto Pineda to lead the fact-finding panel, which has Assistant Chief State Prosecutors Severino Gana and Miguel Gudio, City Prosecutor Emilie Fe delos Santos, and Senior State Prosecutor Aileen Marie Gutierrez as members. The panel shall also be assisted by Usec. Vicente Salazar in determining all concerned persons, officials and witnesses to be invited or subpoenaed as resource persons, and in assessing all testimonial and object evidence gathered in the panel proceedings. The panel was given 30 days to complete its work. "The panel shall submit its investigation report and recommendations directly to this Office for consideration within 30 days from the effectivity of this Order. This Order takes effect immediately and shall remain in full force until further orders," Gonzalez said in his one-page Department Order. The constitution of the panel was pursuant to the memorandum issued by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita last February 7 ordering Justice department to find out those who may be liable for violations of Republic Act 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act) and RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) in connection with the ZTE deal. Gonzalez said the findings of the panel will be preparatory to the conduct of a preliminary investigation and other prosecutorial proceedings, if evidence warrants, before the agencies or tribunal of competent jurisdiction. Gonzalez likewise ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to assist in the gathering of evidence. - GMANews.TV