Press Release
February 15, 2008

Gordon blasts ZTE officials for arrogance clarifys that he didn't call for Chinese diplomats to attend hearing

Senator Richard J. Gordon clarified that he had not made any motion for Officials of the Chinese Government and ZTE officials to appear before the Senate to participate in any hearing or investigation into the NBN deal.

He pointed out that during the hearing on the ZTE deal, he had made a motion for the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to formally or informally ask the Department of Foreign Affairs to make an appeal to the Chinese government to help the Philippines ferret out the truth by revealing if any Philippine officials who asked for bribes.

"I'm requesting the Chinese government to conduct their own investigation and find out if one of their corporations, a government controlled company, has offered or transferred money to high Filipino officials of constitutional bodies like the Commission on Elections," Gordon explained.

He said that the China is a friend to the Philippines and an important economic partner in Asia. That being the case, he explained that as a friend, the Chinese government may be inclined to help shed light on the transaction by formally or informally communicating what they know about the NBN deal.

Gordon also lambasted ZTE officials after saying that they will not allow itself to be dragged into any political circus.

"ZTE Corp. is very arrogant. They should help us in the investigation by showing their books or financial records to clarify if their company has offered money to high Filipino officials." He said.

Gordon pointed out that testimonies aired by witness Rodolfo Lozada Jr., at the Senate hearing indicated that at least $2 million had been advanced by China's ZTE to former Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos. Gordon stressed that in corruption cases there is a bribe-giver and bribe-taker. He pointed out that the Senate investigation has so far focused only on the bride takers and should defend ourselves also against bribe giver. ZTE Corp. has already issued a statement denying allegations by witnesses testifying in a Philippine Senate anti-corruption hearing that a former elections chief and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's husband were promised huge commissions to clear a national broadband contract with the Chinese company. ZTE spokesman Howard Xue said the company "cannot allow itself to be dragged into any political circus" and ruled out an appearance at the Senate hearing.

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