Palace mum on ‘partisan politics’ claim over Drilon graft probe

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Malacañang on Tuesday said it won’t comment on allegation that the Senate inquiry into the alleged overpricing of the Iloilo Convention Center (ICC) was a diversionary tactic of the opposition.

“Ang guidance po namin mula sa Pangulo (Benigno Aquino III) hinggil dito ay mag-focus sa mga programa ng reporma na ipinapatupad ng pamahalaan at hangga’t maari ay iwanan na lamang ang mga diskusyon tungkol sa mga isyung pampulitika o partisan political issues,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told Palace reporters.

(The President’s advice is for us to stay away from partisan political issues and instead focus on the reform programs being implemented by the government.)

Coloma also said he does not have information on whether Aquino had spoken to Senate President Franklin Drilon, who is accused before the Ombudsman of committing plunder and graft over the construction of the ICC.

The Secretary declined to comment on the allegations of overpricing, saying it would be up to the Ombudsman to determine if it is true.

“Meron namang proseso hinggil diyan at meron nang kasong naiharap sa Ombudsman kaya hayaan natin na maganap iyong proseso ng pag-iimebstiga para malaman iyong katotohanan,” he explained.

(There is already a process and a case filed before the Ombudsman so we should just let the investigation happen so we can learn the truth.)

On Monday, Liberal Party members led by Eastern Samar Representative Ben Evardone, issued a statement  calling the Senate probe   a “diversional squid tactic” of the United Nationalist Alliance amid the Senate probe on Vice President Jejomar Binay and the alleged overpriced Makati City Hall parking building.

Evardone said UNA was attempting to “manipulate public opinion in order to protect the deteriorating political fortunes of Vice President Binay.”