Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 28) — A senator turns the tables on President Rodrigo Duterte who questioned the Senate’s choice of building contractor, which was apparently the preference of a government agency.
In an attempt to attack Senator Richard Gordon again, Duterte said Hilmarc Construction Corporation, the contractor of the new Senate building under construction in Taguig City, has been investigated for its involvement in alleged rigged bidding.
“Is this the same Hilmarc contractor that built the Iloilo Convention Center and the Makati City Hall Building II that the Senate also investigated during the last administration? Gusto ko rin malaman na sa iyo, Mr. Gordon. Yung dalawang building paki-report na rin sa tao,” he said during his taped address on Monday.
[Translation: I want to hear the answer from you, Mr. Gordon. Report to the public updates about the two buildings.]
Lacson said Duterte should be directing his insinuations at the Department of Public Works and Highways, which was the procuring and implementing agency of the project.
“President Duterte has been grossly misinformed, hence he barked up the wrong tree,” he said in a statement.
The lawmaker added, “It was the DPWH that prepared the Program Of Works, the Terms of Reference and all bid documents, conducted the bidding, awarded, prepared the contract, signed the contract, and issued the notice to proceed, including the cost of the building.”
