DAVAO CITY (August 9) — President Rodrigo Duterte has instructed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to review a lease contract between Nayong Pilipino Foundation Inc. (NPFI) and Landing Resorts Philippines Development Corp. (LRPDC).
The order came the day after Duterte fired all board members and administrative officials of Nayong Pilipino, citing a contract which is grossly disadvantageous to Philippine government.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said “The President said he has instructed Secretary Menardo Guevarra of DOJ to review the contract and the President described it a ‘flawed’ contract.”
The NPF officials along with Hong-based LRPDC were having a ground breaking ceremony Tuesday when the Palace announced that Duterte fired all officials of the foundation.
Duterte fired the entire members of the NPF board and management due to a lease with LRPDC which the Chief Executive called “gravely disadvantageous” to the government.
Under the lease contract, the LRPDC, a subsidiary of Hong Kong’s Landing International Development Ltd., will reportedly develop a USD1.5 billion casino-resort in NPF’s property in Entertainment City in Paranaque City.
Roque said the President was like “fire-breathing dragon” when he announced the sacking of the NPFI officials during last Monday’s Cabinet meeting.
“Of course, nakikita natin na maraming beses na magmura ang President, pero itong pagkakataon po talaga, nakita ko talaga na parang fire breathing dragon itong si President. Galit na galit po siya dito sa nangyari sa Nayong Pilipino (Of course, we have seen the President making expletives in many occasions but this time, I saw the President like a fire-breathing dragon. He was really angry on what happened with Nayong Pilipino),” Roque said in an interview with dzMM.
Roque said Duterte told the Cabinet members that public bidding should have been made since the leisure complex is not a project under the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).
The Palace is wondering why there was no public bidding.
Roque said he is expecting new Ombudsman Samuel Martires to also act on the complaints against NPFI.-JAP with report from PNA
