Panelo wants UP Ayala Technohub lease reviewed

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo wants to look into the lease contract between the Ayala Group and the University of the Philippines involving the UP Ayala Land Technohub in Diliman.

"I have to probe it. I read it in the internet that 'yun pa lang Technohub diyan sa UP run by the Ayalas, parang maraming maraming ginawang computation 'yung nag-research," he said in a radio interview on Sunday.

"Parang lumalabas na 'yung buong lugar na 'yun is being rented by the Ayalas at less than P20 per square meter for 25 years. Eh kung totoo 'yun eh 'di malaki na naman ang problema," elaborated Panelo.

Data from Ayala Land indicates that the UP Ayala Technohub has a gross leasable area of 156,708.75 per square meter.

"The Technohub is envisioned as an integrated community of science-and-technology companies creating a dynamic learning and entrepreneurial laboratory at the very home of young and brilliant minds," Ayala Land said in its website.

Manila Water Company Inc., another Ayala-led company, and its competitor Maynilad Water Services Inc. recently caught the ire of President Rodrigo Duterte for what he alleged were "onerous" deals detrimental to the government.

The President also lashed out at the business tycoons behind the water firms, accusing them of corruption.

Panelo said government contracts with supposedly "onerous" provisions will all be reviewed.

"Basta mayroong anomaliya, hindi lamang sa mga Ayala, lahat na may kontrata na may anomaliya, onerous provisions," he said. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News