MANILA – Malacañang on Friday said the Department of Justice (DOJ) has concluded that the lease contract between Nayong Pilipino Foundation (NPF) and Landing Resorts Philippines Development Corp. is void ab initio (from the beginning).
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Justice Secretary Menardo Guervarra has formally submitted the report of its review on the lease contract to the Office of the President.
“It (DOJ) characterized the contract as being void ab initio (not legally binding),” Roque said in a Palace press briefing.
Roque said Guevarra stated in DOJ findings that the contract of the Hongkong-based casino builder with NPF is a “build-operate-transfer contract disguised as a lease contract”.
“Because it is a build-operate-transfer project, it should have complied with the BOT law, including public bidding,” Roque said.
Roque said the DOJ’s findings rebutted the NPF officials’ claim in their public advertisement that lease contract is exempted from the Government Procurement Reform law.
“Again, I reiterate the DOJ has joined the President in concluding the contract is void ab initio,” Roque said.
It was Duterte who ordered the DOJ to review the lease contract for the construction of USD1.5 billion integrated casino resort in a government property owned by NPF, a government-owned and controlled corporation, in Parañaque City.
Duterte also fired the entire foundation’s entire board and management over what the Palace described as “grossly disadvantageous" contract to the government.
During the 49th Charter Day celebration of Mandau City in Cebu on Thursday night, Duterte said he was so pissed off trying to fix the Nayong Pilipino’s anomaly.
“You grant a franchise for 75 years? You must be crazy,” Duterte, who opposes construction of new casinos in the country, said.
“Of course, they are denying (it) because it was not approved. It was not approved because I blew my top,” he added.
Duterte said the Philippines is being left behind in terms of economic progress due to massive corruption which the government is trying to address.
“If we cannot stop graft and corruption and cannot maintain law and order in this country, Philippines should never reach the level of economic progress enjoyed by Malaysia and Indonesia on the present level,” Duterte said.
“It would take us about 10 years or 15 years to catch up, maybe more than. 'Yan ang problema sa Pilipino (That’s the problem with Filipinos). But do not also try to crucify the country. I don't like it,” he added. (PNA)
