Ridon to pursue probe of Iloilo center

Photo courtesy of Iloilo City Development and Tourism Facebook Page.

MANILA – Unfazed by any amount of “bullying” thrown against him, Kabataan Rep. Terry Ridon remains unstoppable in his goal to pursue the investigation on the construction of the Iloilo Convention Center.

The center was a project partly funded with Senate President Franklin Drilon’s Disbursement Acceleration Program.

Ridon still wants to pursue the investigation after having been accosted by Drilon during a dinner party hosted by Aurora Rep. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo.

The youth representative said that he wanted to look into the controversial contractor Hilmarc’s Construction Corporation, a company that bagged the P479-million contract to build the ICC.

He also added that there is a need to conduct an in-depth investigation to the case which may be similar to the recent corruption issues in the building of a parking building in Makati, where Vice President Jejomar Binay was allegedly involved.

“In the coming congressional investigation, we need to know whether the bidding of the contract was rigged, similar to the allegation in the Makati Parking Building project,” Ridon said.

While noting that the ICC was overpriced, Ridon also revealed that the contract was won by HCC following two failed public biddings.

“It is disturbing to note that in the competitive bidding, Hilmarc’s did not even participate. But through negotiated procurement, it was able to clinch the project. It is highly possible that the contract was rigged,” Ridon said.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) meanwhile denied both allegations and said that the building was not overpriced.

Engineer Edilberto Tayao, DPWH Western Visayas director, also added that there are no irregularities in the bidding and pricing of the building.

Despite these denials, Ridon is still willing to pursue the investigation.