Miriam wants JPE, Gigi probed for CEZA deal

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago wants her archenemy, Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, investigated anew – this time for allegedly using dummies in corporations involved in the disbursement of over P5 billion in public funds infused into the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) from 2008 to 2013.

Santiago yesterday urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to probe Enrile for allegedly using a female executive as front for his construction project at the Pagcor Entertainment City and other big-ticket infrastructure projects all over the country.

The senator also linked Enrile’s former chief of staff, lawyer Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes, to the alleged fund misuse at CEZA.

Santiago urged the DOJ to expand its investigation into the alleged illegal activities of Enrile to include Reyes and her family.

She said the P5.1-billion breakwater project in Port Irene was awarded to Sta. Elena Construction with links to Sta. Ana Builders where the board of directors include Reyes’ family.

“I humbly submit that it would certainly be productive to investigate the use of the names of his chief of staff Atty. Jessica Lucilla ‘Gigi’ Reyes and her family in the disbursement of some P5.101 billion in public funds,” Santiago said in her letter to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

“It appears that Enrile used their names to surreptitiously morph the Cagayan Freeport into a main vehicle for smuggling and other illicit operations,” Santiago added.

Port Irene, described as the backbone of the Cagayan Freeport, consumed the amount for the construction of a breakwater, she said.

Reyes had been romantically linked to the 89-year-old veteran senator.

Ties that bind

Reyes’ brother, Neal Jose Gonzales, is chairman of Sta. Fe Builders while their mother, Maria Cooper, is a board member and one of the directors.

Santiago said this clearly shows “Enrile’s thumbprint” in the breakwater deal.

“Thus, it appears that Enrile has used the names of his former chief of staff and her family to mask his immense personal financial interests not only in Sta. Fe Builders, but also in Sta. Elena Construction,” she added.

Who is Alice Eduardo?

Santiago said she is curious about Enrile’s supposed relationship with a certain Alice Eduardo.

According to the senator, Eduardo is the president and chief executive officer of Sta. Elena Construction involved in huge projects such as Pagcor Entertainment City, North Luzon Expressway, SM Mall of Asia, four power plants, and several bridge and flood control projects, among others.

Eduardo is also reportedly one of the Filipino partners of Japanese gaming tycoon Kazuo Okada.

“If Enrile is inexplicably linked to Eduardo, the logical question follows: Is Eduardo a front woman for Enrile’s business interests? If not, why did Enrile entrust to her a project in his home base, the Cagayan Freeport, with a budget costing the government P5.101 billion?” Santiago asked.

Sta. Elena Construction bagged the contract for the breakwater project in Port Irene.

The firm shares an office with Sta. Elena Builders at 1625 Leon Guinto street in Manila.

“Here, certain details betray Enrile’s hand,” Santiago said.

CEZA budget

Santiago has questioned the P891-million budget for CEZA this year.

She noted the amount is “extravagant” to spend for an alleged deeper navigation channel in Port Irene when the government is cash-strapped.

While other economic zones receive P300 million to P350 million in appropriations, Santiago asked why CEZA is receiving more or less P1 billion each year from the national government.

She also questioned the propriety of CEZA’s budget, which reached more than P5 billion from 2008 to 2013.

“What has been the CEZA output? What has CEZA contributed to the economy? What has it contributed to the national coffers?” she asked.

President Aquino has retained the P891-million funding for CEZA in the 2014 national budget despite a last-minute appeal from Santiago for him to veto the appropriation.

Santiago has described the CEZA outlay as the pork barrel of Enrile.

Enrile defends Gigi, relatives

Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile defended yesterday his former chief of staff Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes from the accusations hurled by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago.

Enrile said he does not see anything wrong in the fact that Sta. Elena Builders – whose directors include Reyes, her mother and brother – was the same company that cornered the P5.1-billion breakwater project in Port Irene.

“So what if they were members (of the board)?” he said.

The senator said the breakwater contract materialized shortly after the creation of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA).

Enrile said he is ready to face any investigation by his peers or even by the justice department.

Asked if he thinks Justice Secretary Leila de Lima will be fair in the probe, the former Senate president said he is ready to face charges head on.

“Fair or unfair, I will not know. But I have nothing to fear. I have nothing to hide. Why should I fear anyone filing charges against me?” he said. “I will meet them squarely in the courtroom if they want. That’s why I’m asking everyone to appear as prosecutors.”

Enrile maintained that there was no anomaly in the breakwater project.

“No way. My office never influenced anybody. You can ask the entire bureaucracy,” he added.

Enrile also distanced himself from Alice Eduardo, said to be his conduit for his businesses in Cagayan and Metro Manila, including the Pagcor Entertainment City.

Eduardo is the president and chief executive officer of Sta. Elena Construction with links to Sta. Fe Builders.

“I have nothing to do with the business activities of Mrs. Eduardo. I’m sure that she won all her contracts on the basis of merits, in fair and legal biddings,” he said.

He, however, admitted knowing Eduardo socially.

“She’s a reputable businesswoman. She’s doing all the work in all these big constructions in Manila,” Enrile added. – Christina Mendez