Pimentel lauds continuation of ZTE deal hearings during recess

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. Monday commended Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano for pursuing the investigation into the controversy over the National Broadband Network (NBN) project during the congressional recess

Cayetano, chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee, had scheduled the next hearing on the case on Oct. 25.

Pimentel said the Blue Ribbon Committee should summon back former Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos and former National Economic and Development Authority director general Romulo Neri, now acting chairman of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

He added that this will give them a chance to complete their testimonies on the circumstances behind the awarding of the $329 million NBN contract to China's ZTE Corp.

He said that holding the next hearing on the NBN-ZTE scandal on Oct. 25 should also dispel doubts over the determination of the investigating panels to get to the bottom of the case.

"It is important that Blue Ribbon Committee, along with the Trade and Commerce Committee and Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Laws should continue its investigation into the ZTE contract and hold responsible all those who had a dirty finger poked into the messy deal," Pimentel said.