Enrile denies financial dealings with contractor of P5-B port project | Inquirer News

Enrile denies financial dealings with contractor of P5-B port project

By: - Reporter / @MAgerINQ
/ 05:01 PM February 04, 2014

Port Irene in Cagayan Freeport Sta. Ana, Cagayan. A big-time contractor, who has close personal and business ties to the former chief of staff of Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile and her family, cornered the bulk of P5 billion in state largesse given to the Cagayan Freeport in the last five years. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines –  Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce-Enrile on Tuesday admitted knowing the contractor that had allegedly cornered the bulk of the P5.101-billion funds  for Cagayan Freeport, but denied any financial dealings with her or pocketing a single centavo from the project.

“I have no financial dealings with Ms. Eduardo. I’m sure that she won all her contracts on her merits, in a fair and legitimate bidding,”  Enrile said, referring to  Alice Eduardo, president  and  chief executive officer of  Sta. Elena Construction, which reportedly bagged  the contract for  the construction of a breakwater in the province.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Now, if they want to check the quality of the work in that port, they can go there and dive in a 50-feet deep water to check the breakwater,” he said.

FEATURED STORIES

The subject of the controversy is the Irene Port, which reportedly consumed the P5.101 billion budget for the construction of the breakwater.

Enrile though admitted that he met Eduardo “socially” four or five times.

Article continues after this advertisement

Asked about reports that Eduardo served as his “front,” Enrile said: “They are free to check. I have never received any single cent from her.”

Article continues after this advertisement

Reports had it that Eduardo is also the president of Sta. Fe Builders that has linked to the family of Enrile’s former  chief of staff,  Atty. Jessica Lucilla “Gigi” Reyes.

Article continues after this advertisement

When asked about Reyes family’s possible involvement in the project, Enrile said: “You better ask the  people concerned.”

But he strongly denied any speculations that his office might have been used by anyone without  his knowledge.

Article continues after this advertisement

“No way. My office never influence anybody. You can ask the entire bureaucracy,” said the senator.

Enrile pointed out that the project was not  his project  but  the project of the government.

“That’s all audited. That’s all approved by NEDA. That’s a project of the government, not my project. I’m just a senator,” he said.

RELATED STORIES

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Santiago wants Enrile’s alleged link to Cagayan project contractor probed

Contractor corners P5B Ceza project

Customs helpless vs used car imports

TAGS: Nation, News, Port Irene

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.