No need to probe ICC further – Trillanes

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV yesterday said he finds no need for the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to dig deeper into the alleged overpriced Iloilo Convention Center (ICC). He said the lack of documentary evidence presented by complainant Atty. Manuel Mejorada in last Thursday’s investigation, has put into question allegation of anomalies in the ICC’S construction.

In a radio interview, Trillanes also said the Blue Ribbon sub-committee’s probe into the Makati City Hall Parking Building 2 should not be compared to the mother committee’s proceedings in the ICC investigation. He refuted Sen. Sergio Osmena’s III’s observation on the Senate’s “friendly” approach when it held its initial hearing into the ICC.

“I think (the treatment) was the same with the (Senate Blue Ribbon) sub- committee. He ( Osmena) has not been attending (the hearings) and that’s why I think he has a wrong assessment of the probe. But the people saw what happened,” Trillanes said in an interview over Radio DZBB.

“There are hostilities when resource persons are lying and or trying to flatter the senators. Like Mr. (Antonio) Tiu and an official from Hilmarcs (the ICC contractor). Resource persons are really not allowed to fool around the committee,” he said.

In contrast, Trillanes said those resource persons who appeared in the ICC probe offered satisfactory and clear testimonies, like Department of Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, and Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson.

“The testimonies given by Secretaries Singson and Jimenez were satisfactory, and very clear. Even the representative from Hilmarcs was able to give us direct information,” said Trillanes. “Mr. Mejorada, too, was clear in admitting candidly that he had no evidence to present. Why are we going to scold him when he’s telling the truth,” he said.

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III had earlier said he has reservations on Sen. Teofisto Guingona III’s plan to hold a second hearing on the ICC probe.

Guingona is head of the main panel of the Senate Blue Ribbon while Pimentel is heading its sub-committee which is in-charge of investigating the alleged overpriced Makati City Hall Parking Building 2.

According to Pimentel, Guingona has decided to hear former Iloilo Rep. Augusto Syjuco’s testimony against Senate President Franklin Drilon, who is accused of facilitating the construction of the ICC using his pork barrel funds.