Trade, civic leaders rally round Drilon on plunder issue

Senate President Franklin Drilon. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/ JOAN BONDOC

ILOILO CITY, Philippines—Several business and community leaders here defended Senate President Franklin Drilon against allegations he made money from the construction of the P747-million Iloilo Convention Center (ICC).

In a manifesto dated Nov. 5, 46 people, mostly business leaders, including former Tourism Secretary Narzalina Lim, described the filing of a plunder case against Drilon and other government officials as “preposterous.”

“The ICC and the meetings, conventions and events it will attract will generate jobs and stimulate economic activities in Iloilo. We believe the transactions involved in its construction were above board and did not financially benefit (Drilon), (Public Works Secretary Rogelio) Singson and (Tourism Secretary Ramon) Jimenez,” they said.

Manuel Mejorada, former Iloilo provincial administrator and a former consultant of Drilon, filed the plunder case against the Senate president, the two Cabinet members and other respondents for alleged overpricing and other irregularities in the construction of the ICC.

In the manifesto, the business and community leaders lashed out at those accusing Drilon and the other officials of an overprice.

“We condemn the people who are out to thwart progress in Iloilo by maligning these dedicated public servants who have only the best interests of the country and Iloilo at heart,” they said.

They credited Drilon with major developments in Iloilo, including road networks, the Iloilo International Airport and Iloilo Esplanade.