KIKO: REPORT SAYING PGMA GAVE FAVILA "FULL POWERS" MUST
PUSH ADMINISTRATION TO STOP INVOKING EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE

Senate Majority Leader Kiko Pangilinan today said that reports linking President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo directly to the NBN ZTE scandal must prompt Malacanang to stop invoking executive privilege in the Senate hearings.

Gmanews.tv's Malou Mangahas' exclusive report stated that 3 months before the NBN project was endorsed to NEDA for review, President Arroyo already signed a document vesting Secretary Favila "full powers" to negotiate with ZTE International Investment Corporation, ZTE Corporation's sister company. This happened 8 months before the NEDA board formally approved the awarding of the NBN deal and other similar investment projects.

"This serious information links the President directly to the anomalous NBN ZTE deal. If we are to follow this line of thought, is Malacanang invoking executive privilege because the conversation between Secretary Neri and the President might show the hand of the President in the approval of this anomalous contract?" Kiko asked.

"Since Joey de Venecia accused the First Gentleman of direct involvement, and Secretary Neri professed that he informed President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of the bribery going on, it would be good for Malacanang - assuming it really has nothing to hide -- to stop its officials from invoking executive privilege and answer the issues head on. The more it tries to conceal information from the public, the more it will solicit speculation, and the more it will lose not just public sympathy but public trust." Kiko ended.