The acquisition of the old airport site in Mandurriao district, Iloilo City by property developer Megaworld Corp. went through the proper legal process, according to Ilonggo Senator Franklin Drilon.
“It was sold through a public bidding at P1.2 billion set by the Privatization Council then headed by the late Justice Sec. Raul Gonzales in 2007. The government’s Privatization Council at that time can very well explain this to the President,” said Drilon in a statement.
In 2013, Megaworld acquired another 18 hectares, bringing its total township land area to 72 hectares.
“The site of the old airport represents now a booming Iloilo City,” said Drilon.
Megaworld allocated P35 billion to develop Iloilo Business Park (IBP) for 10 years, making this township its biggest project outside Metro Manila.
Drilon also pointed out that the old airport site is where the Iloilo Convention Center (ICC) was built.
“It is also where we built the ICCC. In case the President mentions it in the future, the Ombudsman had investigated it and found no corruption,” he said.
In his taped briefing aired on September 11, President Rodrigo Duterte asked who “brokered” the sale of the old airport site in Iloilo City to Megaworld.
Drilon is one of the members of the Senate’s blue ribbon committee that currently investigating alleged overpriced purchase of medical supplies, for the COVID-19 pandemic.IMT
