Palace: Show proof Sangley ‍project favors China

SANGLEY AIRPORT RUNWAY Construction is under way at the Sangley airport in Cavite City, 35 kilometers south of Manila. A plan to develop Sangley Point International Airport in the area is being questioned by people who have reviewed documents of the joint venture between a consortium and the Cavite provincial government. —RICHARD A. REYES

Present proof that the bidding for the Sangley Point International Airport project favors China, Malacañng on Thursday challenged critics of the $10-billion joint venture with the Cavite local government.

“The presumption is (that) it is aboveboard. Unless you give us proof that it is not, then we come in,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a press briefing.

“This government has always been open to any complaint and, in fact, we encourage people to complain so that we will know whatever anomalies there are.”

Quoting certain parties involved in the bidding, the Inquirer on Thursday reported that the bidding process had favored a Chinese partner from the beginning.

The favored party was identified as a consortium that includes China’s state-run China Communications Construction Co. (CCCC). Six other bidders have dropped out.Defense experts have pointed out the role of the CCCC in building artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea.The project, a joint venture with the Cavite government, would transform the former US naval base into an air hub.

“If they have a valid

complaint, (these companies) should (come out),” Panelo said. ‍He added that the bidding process imposes certain conditions that bidders must comply with for them to qualify.“If the Chinese company has complied with all the requirements, unlike others, necessarily the Chinese company will be the chosen one,” he added.