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Drilon optimistic blue ribbon subcommittee will consider Pres. Aquino’s appeal
President Benigno S. Aquino III (center) is shown with House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr.
(right) and Senate President Franklin Drilon (left), before delivering his 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) during the Joint Session of the 16th Congress at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City on Monday (July 28). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacanang Photo Bureau)
MANILA – Senate President Franklin Drilon on Wednesday expressed optimism that the Senate blue ribbon sub-committee will consider the appeal of President Benigno Aquino III to wrap up its inquiry into the alleged overpriced Makati City Hall car park building.
”I’m sure they will consider that in the process of their decision making,” Drilon said, referring to the sub-committee chaired by Sen. Aquiino ‘Koko’ Pimentel III.
Last Tuesday, President Aquino asked the blue ribbon committee to finish the Senate probe on Php2.7 billion Makati City Hall building 2 a day after Drilon admitted to the media that the President relayed to him the request of Vice President Jejomar Binay to stop the investigation.
”Of course, we will listen,” Drilon said, referring to the President’s appeal. “But the decision whether they have enough gathered materials and testimonies depends on the sub-committee members.
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”I cannot stop it by myself alone. It has to be decided by the sub-committee,” he added.
The sub-committee has already conducted 12 Senate investigations on the Makati City Hall building 2 but may extend it to other alleged overpriced Makati City buildings.
”I’ve heard that Sen. Trillanes is planning to prepare a committee report,” Drilon said.
Vice President Binay has been accused of receiving kickbacks from the construction of the Makati City Hall car park building.
Despite invitation from the blue ribbon mother committee chaired by Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, the Vice President never attended the last 12 Senate investigations on the Makati City hall building.
