Saavedra seeks Senate probe on Gwen

Manila, Philippines — Despite being aware that the Senate is already loaded with a lot of investigations and inquiry, Crisologo Saavedra added more loads to the Upper House by asking it to investigate the Capitol’s purchase of the Balili property and the construction of the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC).

Saavedra had already requested the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate the same transactions.

But he now wants the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to investigate what he believes are anomalous transactions entered into by the Province of Cebu under the administration of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Capitol spokesperson Roryjon Sepulveda, however, said Saavedra is only after media attention. He said they will file a case against Saavedra in due time but as of now, they will just let him be.

“He can do his worst. He is into recycling old issues over and over again,” said Sepulveda in a telephone interview.

Saavedra personally submitted yesterday his urgent request for investigation in aid of legislation against Garcia and other provincial officials and individuals involved in the Balili purchase and the CICC construction.

Separate sets of his sworn complaint and documents were submitted to the offices of Senators Sergio Osmena III, Miriam Defensor Santiago, Antonio Trillanes IV and Franklin Drilon.

He requested the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to investigate Garcia and other provincial officials for plunder, the same request he had made before the anti-graft office.

Garcia already filed a case against him for malicious prosecution. This is now pending before the Cebu City Prosecutors Office.

Saavedra said he is also following up the status of Senate Resolution 262 filed by Senator Panfilo Lacson in December 2007.

If approved, Senate Resolution 262 would direct the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the alleged overpricing of the decorative lamp posts used in the 12th Asean Summit held in Cebu City and the construction of the CICC.

In his proposed resolution, Lacson stated that after the Asean summit in January 2007, allegations were made that the various contracts entered into by the Province for holding the summit were overpriced and violated procurement laws. —(FREEMAN)