Gov ready to face airport probe

By Leny G. Gabo

Being the subject of the congressional inquiry in line with the alleged anomalous transactions on the construction of the New Iloilo International Airport Project, Governor Niel D. Tupas , Sr. said he would willingly attend the investigation with or without invitation from the probe panel.

Tupas expressed that he wanted the inquiry to kick off so that he can clear his name.

He said the congressional investigation could be a good venue wherein to settle all the issues surrounding the construction of the airport project.

Tupas said the inquiry would be for the benefit of the public that has been at a loss for quite some time on what is the real score about the project.

Third district Board Member Emmanuel Gallar raised allegations of anomalies in his privileged speech delivered at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan late last year.

Gallar questioned the Memorandum of Agreement entered into by the provincial government, the Department of Transportation and Communications and the local governments of Sta. Barbara and Cabatuan in relation to the airport construction without the authority of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan .

Gallar also slammed that alleged connection between the provincial government and some quarry operators.

Gallar's privileged speech led to the filing of a resolution calling for the investigation of the alleged anomalies in the P6 billion airport project filed by Partido ng Manggagawa partylist Rep. Renato Magtubo .

The House Committee on Good Government chaired by Rep. Arthur Defensor of the third district of Iloilo has set the preliminary investigation on February 8, 2005 at the Lower House

Earlier, Ilonggo congressional representatives Janette Garin ( 1st district), Ferjenel Biron (4th district), Rolex Suplico (5th district) and Raul Gonzalez Jr. ( Iloilo City ) vowed to take part in the conduct of the airport investigation.

Defensor , in whose time as governor the airport project was conceptualized , vowed an objective investigation of the alleged airport anomalies.

He assured that the congressional inquiry would not be tainted with politics.