Raps ‘recycled trash’ — Gordon spokesman

OLONGAPO CITY - "Recycled trash."

This was how a spokesman of Richard Gordon described the charges filed by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority against its former administrator.

Mike Pusing, city public information officer, said the charges which the SBMA’s Land and Asset Development Office lodged against Gordon with the Office of the Ombudsman for alleged abuse of privileges and anomalous lease contracts of several housing units "are not new but part of incumbent chairman Felicito Payumo’s smear campaign to discredit the Gordons."

"The charges are actually mere rehash of an old ejectment case which turned out to have no basis at all," Pusing said in a statement.

The SBMA alleged that Gordon, during his term, appropriated for himself and his relatives a number of posh housing units in the freeport’s local version of Forbes Park through alleged sweetheart deals which were disadvantageous to the government.

"All transactions involving housing units leased during Gordon’s term as SBMA chairman were above board and transparent. The properties in question were duly paid for by the Gordons, pursuant to the prevailing rates at that time and in accordance with the official policies," Pusing said.

Pusing accused the SBMA of deliberately omitting the fact that other houses in West Kalayaan were leased to prominent families at the same rate as the Gordons’ and that the SBMA was not contesting any of the contracts.

"The Gordons paid for them with hard-earned money in contrast to current SBMA officials who enjoy housing privileges and other perks for free," Pusing said.

Pusing said Payumo himself lives in the former Admiral’s house which is the most exclusive unit in West Kalayaan previously reserved for the Philippine president. The house was renovated at a cost of P2.5 million last year.

Pusing alleged that another mansion with a swimming pool and recreation area to boot is nearing completion under the name Ed Duque, but is allegedly intended for Payumo.