Senate to subpoena 3 of 4 members of ‘greedy gang’
03/02/2008 | 03:29 PM
MANILA, Philippines - The Senate will issue subpoenas to three of four members of the so-called "Greedy Gang" that allegedly worked out a $41-million advance payment from China's ZTE Corp. for a broadband network project.
Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Alan Peter Cayetano said they will subpoena Leo San Miguel, Quirino dela Torre and Ruben Reyes, whom new ZTE witness Dante Madriaga had linked to the mess.
"Ang mga subpoena nila ay inihahanda na natin (We are now preparing the subpoenas for the three)," Cayetano said in an interview on dzBB radio.
He said the fourth "member," resigned poll chairman Benjamin Abalos, will be issued an invitation because he had shown his cooperation before by attending an earlier Senate hearing.
During his testimony last Feb. 26, Madriaga, a former consultant of ZTE Corp., said the "Greedy Gang" worked out a $41-million advance payment in three installments.
The Senate, however, is yet to resume its joint committee hearings on the ZTE broadband deal, saying such decision will come out after a meeting on Monday between the three committees handling the hearing and Senate President Manuel Villar Jr.
Cayetano also said they will wait for the outcome of oral arguments in the Supreme Court on Tuesday involving the petition of former Socioeconomic Planning chief Romulo Neri questioning the Senate's arrest order against him.
The Senate issued an order for Neri’s arrest for repeatedly snubbing Senate invitations and summons. Neri had cited executive privilege in refusing to do so.
At present, Cayetano said his committee is reviewing the transcripts of the past ZTE hearings to come up with at least a partial committee report.
"(But) if there's a possibility to be more precise and accurate we will do it," he said.
Cayetano also said that the administration is "stepping up" to put pressure on the Blue Ribbon, trade and defense committees to stop the Senate investigation. He said part of the pressure was in the form of criticisms from Palace allies in Congress and local government units and even religious groups that the Senate probe was for politics.
"Kahit saan mo ilagay ayaw nila. Gusto nila maging untouchable ang pangulo (Anywhere you go, they will not allow an investigation to go on. They want the president to be untouchable)," he said. - GMANews.TV
Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Alan Peter Cayetano said they will subpoena Leo San Miguel, Quirino dela Torre and Ruben Reyes, whom new ZTE witness Dante Madriaga had linked to the mess.
"Ang mga subpoena nila ay inihahanda na natin (We are now preparing the subpoenas for the three)," Cayetano said in an interview on dzBB radio.
He said the fourth "member," resigned poll chairman Benjamin Abalos, will be issued an invitation because he had shown his cooperation before by attending an earlier Senate hearing.
During his testimony last Feb. 26, Madriaga, a former consultant of ZTE Corp., said the "Greedy Gang" worked out a $41-million advance payment in three installments.
The Senate, however, is yet to resume its joint committee hearings on the ZTE broadband deal, saying such decision will come out after a meeting on Monday between the three committees handling the hearing and Senate President Manuel Villar Jr.
Cayetano also said they will wait for the outcome of oral arguments in the Supreme Court on Tuesday involving the petition of former Socioeconomic Planning chief Romulo Neri questioning the Senate's arrest order against him.
The Senate issued an order for Neri’s arrest for repeatedly snubbing Senate invitations and summons. Neri had cited executive privilege in refusing to do so.
At present, Cayetano said his committee is reviewing the transcripts of the past ZTE hearings to come up with at least a partial committee report.
"(But) if there's a possibility to be more precise and accurate we will do it," he said.
Cayetano also said that the administration is "stepping up" to put pressure on the Blue Ribbon, trade and defense committees to stop the Senate investigation. He said part of the pressure was in the form of criticisms from Palace allies in Congress and local government units and even religious groups that the Senate probe was for politics.
"Kahit saan mo ilagay ayaw nila. Gusto nila maging untouchable ang pangulo (Anywhere you go, they will not allow an investigation to go on. They want the president to be untouchable)," he said. - GMANews.TV
