In a resolution, the Piñol-led provincial legislators said the erring officials implicated in the national broadband network (NBN) project have eroded the people’s trust in the national government. As vice governor, Piñol chairs the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Piñol, who served as governor for three consecutive terms, said it is not enough for Malacañang to just say that it is now alright because the deal has already been cancelled and that the people did not lose anything at all.
He stressed that the President should fire all government officials implicated by whistle blower Rodolfo Noel Lozada, former executive officer of the Philippine Forest Corporation.
Piñol said they drafted and passed the resolution to spark reactions from other local government officials in Mindanao and urge Malacañang to do something serious other than just canceling the deal.
Board member Rey Pagal, chair of the Sanggunian’s committee on finance, even wants Ms Arroyo to file a leave of absence while investigations are going on, noting that First Gentleman Mike Arroyo was among those implicated in the scandal.
“We want all these officials dismissed from office to prevent the public from losing whatever trust they have in the government,” Piñol said.
He believes that his constituents are convinced that the NBN project was overpriced by more than $100 million so that certain government officials, including former Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos, get their “kickback.” Lozada, in his testimonies, revealed that Abalos wanted a commission of $130 million (about P5.33 billion).
Piñol said that the people believe Lozada’s statements more than the battery of Malacañang officials, including Environment Secretary Lito Atienza. (MindaNews)
