Lacson uncovers new evidence on PIATCo bribe allegations

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Panfilo Lacson has uncovered new evidence that could re-open a Senate investigation into the bribe allegations involving the Philippine International Air Terminal Co. (PIATCo).

Lacson said he was in possession of some documents showing that millions of US dollars from Hong Kong were remitted to certain people in government in connection with the construction of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA 3).

PIATCo is the consortium that built the terminal.

“Dinedevelop pa (yung evidence) pero initially may documents that would show na yung mga remittances ay galing sa Hong Kong, actually in US dollars [The evidence is being developed but initially there are documents that would show that there were remittances from HongKong, actually in UD dollars],” Lacson said in an interview on Tuesday.

“Right now, I won’t call it bribe but it seems that kasi bakit mo ilalayo [why will you try ? Via HK, another country mo p a[And in another country]? And why used a corporation registered in the British Virgin Islands? Di ba alam naman natin na pagka gumamit ka ng ganun mayroon kang tinatago [Don’t we know that if we use something like that, we’re hiding something],” he said.

Asked where the money would have come from, Lacson said, “Well, galing dun sa deal na yun [Well it’s part of that dead], sa [at] PIATCO.”

And the senator insinuated that those who had received the remittances were still in government, and not only in the Executive but also in Congress. He did not elaborate.

Once he gathers enough evidence, Lacson said he would file a resolution to investigate anew the controversy.

“Of course, this happened in 2001 pero wala ng closure e[But there hasn’t been any closure]. Kasi hangang ngayon nag aarbitrate so hanggang ngayon sakit natin ng ulo [Because until now, there is still arbitration so until now this is still a headache]. Of course nag operate na ngayon ang NAIA 3 pero merong sword of Democles [NAIA 3 is now operational but it’s like a sword of Damocles]. What if natalo tayo sa arbitration sa Washington [we lost the arbitration in Washington]?” said the senator.

“If I gather enough evidence , then probably we can look back and ask those people to explain kasi hindi pa naman talaga tapos yung usapin the issue isn’t really over yet],” he said.

“If I get more documents, basta [as long as there are ] documents then I will file a resolution,” Lacson added.