Senate panel gathers documents on 'overpriced' Drilon project

MANILA, Philippines - The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has started gathering documents for the investigation of the allegedly overpriced Iloilo Convention Center (ICC).

Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, committee chair, said on Tuesday that the Senate panel has sent letters to Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson and Manuel Mejorada, former Iloilo provincial administrator.

The Senate panel is asking the officials to release within this week documents relevant to the allegation that the ICC is overpriced by P531 million.

[S] BRC sent letters to Sec Singson, Sec Jimenez & Mr Mejorada asking for docs re overpricing allegations #ICCHearing pic.twitter.com/ZARdFJR72Y

— Senator TG Guingona (@TgGuingona) November 4, 2014

Part of Senate President Franklin Drilon's P200-million Priority Development Assistance Fund in 2012 and P100-million Disbursement Acceleration Program allocation last year supposedly funded the ICC.

The ICC was built by the Hilmarc's Construction Corp, the same company that cornered various, allegedly overpriced projects in Makati City currently being investigated by a Senate Blue Ribbon Sub-Committee.

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago filed the resolution which called for an inquiry into Hilmarc's projects, including the ICC.

"The Blue Ribbon committee shall commence the investigation as soon as initial preparations have been completed," Guingona said on Monday.