Drilon faces plunder for 'overpriced' Iloilo Convention Center

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Franklin Drilon leads a long list of names of government officials in a plunder complaint filed Wednesday before the Office of the Ombudsman over the alleged "overpriced" Iloilo Convention Center (ICC).

Manual Mejorada, former Iloilo provincial administrator, said in the complaint that Drilon, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez and seven other officials violated Republic Act 7080, or the Anti-Plunder Act, in the anomalous and "overpriced" construction of the ICC.

"I am filing criminal and administrative complaints against the above-named respondent[s] for offenses committed in the procurement and implementation of the Iloilo Convention Center in Iloilo City," Mejorada said.

He also wants the respondents charged with malversation of public funds, dishonesty and grave misconduct.

Also included in the complaint are the WV Coscolluella Architects and project contractor Hilmarc's Construction Corp.

Hilmarc's is also the firm involved in the development of the  Makati City Hall II parking building that prompted a Senate investigation on Vice President Jejomar Binay's role in alleged overpricing.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Jaime Pacanan, Undersecretary Romeo Momo and regional director Edilberto Tayao and Marilyn Celiz as well as Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority administrator Mark Lapid were also tagged in the complaint.

Tayao had earlier denied that the convention center is overpriced and explained that the earmarked P747 million has not completely been spent.

Only P492 million was spent for the first phase, as the second and third phases of the project are still pending, he said.

The funds came from the DPWH's appropriations since 2012.