News Briefs

NPF contract with HK resort developer ‘void from start’

The Nayong Pilipino Foundation’s (NPF) lease contract with a Hong Kong developer for a $1.5-billion casino resort was void from the very beginning.

This was the finding of a review submitted by the Department of Justice (DOJ), which Malacañang said corroborated President Rodrigo Duterte’s conclusion that the contract between the NFP and Landing Resorts Philippines Development Corp. was flawed.

“It characterized the contract as being void ab initio,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Friday.

Quoting the DOJ review, he said the agreement was a build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract “disguised” as a lease contract.

“Because it is a BOT project, it should have complied with the BOT law, including public bidding,” Roque said.

An open letter published in newspapers and paid for by the NPF officials Mr. Duterte had sacked insisted on the legality of the lease contract with the casino developer. —JULIE M. AURELIO

Sister Fox may stay to appeal deportation order, says DOJ

Sister Patricia Fox, the Australian nun who is appealing an order for her deportation, will be accorded all remedies under the law, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Friday.

Lawyer Jobert Pahilga said Fox would appeal to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday for the reversal of the deportation order issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

“We’re according her all the remedies provided by law to appeal the decision,” Roque said.

The government might downgrade Fox’s missionary visa, which expires on September 5, to tourist visa so she could stay in the country and await the result of her appeal, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said.

The BI denied Fox’s motion on August 23 contesting its earlier decision that found her liable for violating the conditions of her missionary visa. —JULIE M. AURELIO AND JEROME ANING

Gov’t urged to stop auction of Bonifacio’s personal items

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman on Friday called on the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to step in and help save the personal items of revolutionary hero Andres Bonifacio from ending up in private collections.

In a statement, Lagman said the plan of Leon Gallery to auction off on September 8 Bonifacio’s “personal flag,” sewn by his wife Gregoria de Jesus, “must be stopped immediately.”

Lagman said: “The NHCP must immediately endeavor to have the auction canceled either by negotiation with Leon Gallery or by securing a court injunction. Heritage memorabilia and other historical articles must be acquired by the (NHCP) on behalf of the government for posterity.” —MARLON RAMOS

Bring it on, bishop says of Duterte offer to expose priests’ sins

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo is unfazed by President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement that he would gladly help expose the alleged sexual abuse committed by priests in the Philippines, following similar allegations in the United States that have rocked the Catholic Church.

Pabillo said Friday that the clergy welcomed any investigation.

“We are not like [Duterte] who does not want to be investigated. Do not just smear lies and throw unfounded accusations,” Pabillo said.

In a speech in Mandaue City on Thursday, the President offered to help uncover the alleged sexual abuses committed by priests. In multiple occasions, Mr. Duterte had claimed that a priest molested him and other schoolmates at the Jesuit-run Ateneo de Davao University. —JOVIC YEE