Ebdane: Lamps in resort my idea

Former Department of Public Works and Highways and now Defense Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane yesterday admitted he authorized the installation of 30 of the controversial Asean lampposts inside the private property of a resort in Mactan but explained that it was only temporary.

At the same time, Ebdane washed his hands off any involvement in the procurement of the allegedly hugely overpriced lampposts, saying his role as then DPWH secretary was merely to approve funding for all infrastructure requirements related to the hosting by the country of the 12th Asean Summit in Cebu last January upon the recommendation of local officials and the regional director of DPWH 7.

In effect, Ebdane tossed back to Cebu officials any blame for the mess arising from the alleged overpricing of decorative street lamps lining the official routes of the summit. The lamps were bought at between P200,000 to as high as P350,000 each even if the same lamps can be purchased at source in China for as low as P20,000 each.

Ebdane issued the clarification in a text message to Secretary Cerge Remonde, director general of the Presidential Management Staff and chairman of the Infrastructure Monitoring Task Force of Malacanang. Remonde in turn forwarded the Ebdane message to The Freeman.

Ebdane issued the clarification after his name was dragged into the mess when DPWH officials in Region 7 pointed at him as the person to blame for the installation of some of the lamps inside the Porto Fino Resort in Lapu-lapu City.

In his text message to Remonde, Ebdane said " I saw the item on the supposed statement of the DPWH 7 lawyer that I authorized the additional 30 pieces of expensive lampposts at Porto Fino, a private resort. It's true and here are the details: "

" A few weeks before the holding of the Asean Summit last year, we ( RP officials involved in the preps ) were not convinced that the CICC would be finished on time for the scheduled December 6 event. It was then decided to put up an alternative venue and, for security reasons, the open space adjacent to Mactan Shangri-la Hotel be developed/spruced up for the purpose. The lot happened to be part of Porto Fino Resort, a private property.

" A big airconditioned tent was constructed to include a sizeable parking area to accommodate the vehicles of all attending dignitaries/observers/other officials and support services. We even requested the Shangri-la management to punch a hole on their perimeter fence to serve as ingress/egress to the site. I then directed that the ground and access road be lighted, similar to the ones installed along the main route. The specific instruction was that these will be removed after the summit since it's on a private property.

" While I as secretary of DPWH approved the funding for the infrastructure requirements based on the recommendations of local government executives and RD DPWH 7, I was not involved in the procurement of those items. They went through the proper bidding process at the regional level, in full compliance to government laws and regulations. I suggest to leave the conduct of investigation to the Ombudsman who has taken cognizence of the case.

" I had a radio interview this morning with Vice President Noli " Kabayan " de Castro through DZMM where I corrected the wrong perception about the issue in question, that what I did was above board, " Ebdane said.

Earlier, President Arroyo ordered the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission to look separately into the controversy.

Remonde said the president is getting angry about the issue and wants those involved to be punished, whoever they may be.