'Ho issue bad for investments'

Sen. Robert Barbers warned yesterday that the continuous airing of "insubstantial" charges against Macau gambling mogul Stanley Ho could make foreigners wary of investing in the country.

"They might fear they would be subjected to scrutiny and disapproval if they make big investments in the country," he said.

Barbers lamented that while foreign businessmen are being encouraged to invest in the country, those who do are subjected to intimidation and persecution without exerting efforts to validate the charges.

He lashed at Ho's detractors for airing unsubstantiated charges against the latter.

Barbers, chairman of the Senate committee on public order and illegal drugs, noted that Ho is suspected of involvement with the notorious Hong Kong Triad and of allegedly making questionable contributions to the US Democratic Party during the 1996 elections.

"Mr. Ho should be given the benefit of the doubt until his alleged illicit exploits are confirmed by concrete evidence," Barbers said, as he dared Ho's critics to back their allegations with hard facts.

He noted that no less than President Estrada, Philippine National Police chief Deputy Director General Panfilo Lacson and the Department of Foreign Affairs have said they have found no derogatory findings in their investigations of Ho and his businesses.

"The concerned authorities have spoken and their statements ought to be given weight," Barbers said. --