KIKO HITS ZTE CORPORATION STATEMENT
"The Philippine Senate cannot and will not be cowed by threats or hardball tactics coming from persons or foreign or local corporations. ZTE included." --- Kiko Pangilinan

Senate Majority Leader and Independent senator Kiko Pangilinan today criticized China's ZTE Corporation after it issued a statement stating that it will not allow itself to be dragged into any "political circus."

"We warn all those who refuse without justifiable grounds to cooperate with the Senate as it conducts its hearings in aid of legislation that we will not hesitate to exercise our constitutional powers in order to fulfill our constitutional responsibilities. We will not hesitate to have persons arrested whether foreigners or locals if the same becomes necessary." Kiko adds.

For months, the Senate has been conducting the investigation into the botched $329-million National Broadband Network deal after allegations that the First Gentleman and former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Benjamin Abalos intervened so that ZTE Corp. would win the contract.

Last year, President Arroyo cancelled the project and just recently ordered the Department of Justice (DoJ) to investigate and prosecute officials who are involved in the controversy.

"The Philippine Senate cannot and will not be cowed by threats or hardball tactics coming from persons or foreign or local corporations. ZTE included." Kiko ended.