Pimentel urges Climaco to give government a free hand on Piatco

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. urged yesterday Secretary Gloria Tan Climaco, the presidential adviser for strategic projects, to follow the example of Justice Secretary Hernando Perez and give government a free hand in determining what to do with its contract with the Philippine Air Terminals Co. Inc. (Piatco).

Climaco is a member of the seven-member presidential committee reviewing the Piatco contract on the construction of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3. Perez earlier resigned from the committee after learning that a former law office partner has represented in court those opposing Piatco.

Pimentel said Perez did the right thing, even as he expressed wonder why there seems to be an interlocking of personalities "insofar as those opposing the contract is concerned."

"We need to look at the major players because it would be a travesty of justice if it would be proven later on that those opposing the NAIA 3 project have, in one way or the other, an interest in the outcome of the case," he said.

He pointed out that Climaco and a number of her associates have arrayed themselves with Fraport AG against Piatco, either as outright critics or negotiators.

Piatco had earlier complained that Climaco, whom it claimed to be a protégé of Washington Sycip of SGV, never intended to deal with Piatco in resolving the issues she raised against the NAIA Terminal 3 contract. Climaco has told the Senate Blue Ribbon that there was no sense in talking with Piatco as long as they refuse to give the government details of project costs.