DRILON TAKES ON ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE: Senate President Franklin M. Drilon gets splashed with iced water by his staff as part of the popular ice bucket challenge, which aims to raise funds and promote awareness for the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, at his office on Monday morning, September 1, 2014. Story on page 3. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – In maintaining that the Iloilo Convention Center (ICC) was not overpriced, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson said he will resign if proven to have benefited or received even P1 from the construction of the public building.
“Kung ang nag-aakusa ay mapatunayan na ako ay nakinabang o kumita kahit na isang piso, ako ay nakahandang magbitiw agad sa pwesto,” Singson said in his opening statement before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
Former Iloilo provincial administrator Manuel Mejorada has accused Singson, Senate President Franklin Drilon and other government officials of having conspired to jack up the cost of ICC.
Before he accepted his government post, Singson said he was “fairly well compensated” being the president and CEO of Maynilad Water Services Inc.
“Hindi ko po tinanggap ang pwesto para magpayaman, magnakaw, magpasarap sa buhay o mamulitika.
Tinanggap ko ang hamon at sakripisyo, hindi lang sa akin pati sa aking asawa, para makapaglingkod sa Diyos at sa bayan,” he said.
Singson noted ICC was not like any ordinary building.
“Ang typical floor to ceiling height ay four meters, ito po ay 18 meters, it is equivalent to six floors. The main convention hall has the height of 12 meters. Wala po itong poste sa gitna, this cannot be compared to a regular office building,” he said.
The backroom office or kitchen is six meters in height and can accommodate a mezzanine if needed,” he added. (MNS)