REVILLA WANTS CLOSURE ON ZTE CONTROVERSY

Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. expressed his desire for closure on the controversial ZTE-National Broadband Network (NBN) deal that has affected the country's reputation in handling foreign funded government programs.

The senator said he is already eager to see the committee reports of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Senate Committee on National Defense and Security and the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce, which will show whether or not the facts gathered and the evidence presented during its previous hearings can already determine accountability.

He pointed out that all efforts have been exhausted in the Senate probe and coming out with a committee report should be the next move of the committees.

"If there is probable cause, then the Senate must make the necessary recommendations. Perhaps we can push for the filing of cases in the Ombudsman, who in turn can already initiate the proper criminal proceedings," Revilla said.

The lawmaker clarified that he is not advocating for the abbreviation of the Senate proceedings, however, he said he is more interested in making the personalities and government officials involved accountable.

"So much has been discussed and so many evidence have been received by the committees. Just like every Filipino, what we expect now is to hold responsible those who are guilty and punish them. This is why the Committee report must already come out," Revilla said.

Revilla further explained that out of the committee report, the Senate could pass a law to prevent the recurrence of similar controversies where contracts are overpriced, even up to 300 percent.

"We are misplacing the public's attention from the most important purpose of this probe - to determine culpability. If there truly is probable cause, then someone must be sent to jail, otherwise, all efforts would be for nought," he ended.