Hontiveros seeks DBP documents on SEA Games venue loan

Senator Risa Hontiveros has requested from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) documents relating to the P9.5-billion loan it extended to a Malaysian firm for the construction of venues for the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

In a December 1 letter to the DBP, Hontiveros asked for "all documents and files in your possession vis-a-vis the Php9.5 billion loan extended by DBP to MTD Berhad sometime in May 2018."

MTD Capital Berhad was the partner of the Philippines' Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) for the construction of sports facilities at the New Clark City for the 2019 SEA Games.

Hontiveros' requested documents include the loan or credit agreement, the opinion of the DBP counsel, the codified approving and signing authority, minutes of the meeting where the loan was approved, and the management memorandum issued in connection with the loan.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Hontiveros said she is requesting the documents now so that they would not need to be subpoenaed.

The senator earlier filed a resolution seeking an inquiry in aid of legislation into the loan obtained by MTD Capital Berhad from the DBP.

The BCDA and the Malaysian firm had entered into a joint venture agreement in which the BCDA would provide the land for the project while the MTD Berhad would provide capital.

But Hontiveros said the construction company did not spend any capital and instead took out a loan from the DBP which the BCDA paid for using Filipino taxpayers' money.

The BCDA has claimed that the joint venture agreement was above board.

Hontiveros said the issue is not about Filipino athletes but is about accountability.

"Sa huli, ito ay tungkol sa accountability. Ito ay tungkol sa pagbabalewala at mistulang pag-araro ng public bidding requirements na napapaloob sa batas natin," the opposition senator said.

"Na sa huli, ang perang pinambayad sa inutang ng isang pribadong kompanya mula sa isang government bank… ay mula pala sa pera ng taumbayan," she added.

Hontiveros said she hopes the DBP will respond to her request within the week. --KBK, GMA News