Palace urged to open NBN bid to other countries

Ako Bicol partylist Representative Rodel Batocabe. congress.gov.ph

MANILA, Philippines – A lawmaker at the House of Representatives is urging Malacañang to open the bidding for the National Broadband Network (NBN) to other countries, according to a report on 990AM Tuesday.

Ako Bicol partylist Representative Rodel Batocabe, a pro-administration legislator, issued the statement amid reported plans by the government to revive the NBN project, which called for the installation of a telecommunications network linking government offices throughout the country.

The Arroyo administration forged a $329 million agreement with China’s ZTE Corp. to implement the broadband project. The deal, allegedly overpriced by about $130 million, was later scrapped by then president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Then Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos, who allegedly offered bribes to government and non-government officials to facilitate the approval of the project, resigned.

Graft charges were filed against Arroyo and former First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo, but the Office of the Ombudsman threw out the cases, saying the former president was immune from suit and there was no evidence against her husband.

For the report, listen to 990AM.

Danica Hermogenes, INQUIRER.net