">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Philippines summons World Bank official
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Search
Search:
Philippines summons World Bank official
AFP - Friday, February 13
MANILA, Feb 12, 2009 (AFP) - The head of the World Bank in the Philippines was Thursday ordered to appear before a Senate inquiry into a corruption scandal involving a multi-million dollar road project.
ADVERTISEMENT
Selected pages of a purported World Bank report leaked to media organisations here have implicated President Gloria Arroyo's husband in "bid fixing" -- a charge he rejects as "baseless."
Senator Miriam Santiago, who is heading the inquiry, said she had written to World Bank country director Bert Hofman asking him to hand over a copy of the internal report blacklisting three Filipino and four Chinese firms it accused of bid rigging.
"Mr. Hofman must come here (to the Senate) or else we'll cite him for contempt," she said, warning that the Senate could jail Hofman until he cooperates.
Hofman's office later issued a statement stressing that the "referral report" which summarised the bank's collusion findings has been shared with the Philippine Ombudsman, a special prosecutor that handles corruption cases against government officials.
It did not say whether this report was the same as the one supposedly leaked to sections of the Filipino media.
"The World Bank has offered follow-up assistance to the Ombudsman in conducting her investigations," the World Bank country office said, stressing that it was now up to the prosecutor "to determine whether laws of the Philippines had been violated."
The statement did not refer to the Senate summons for Hofman.
It has been alleged in the purported report that Arroyo's husband received bribe money from one of the Filipino firms to influence the bidding.
Jose Miguel Arroyo, a lawyer, has written to the Senate saying he is being used as a "side show" by his detractors.
Hofman for his part supposedly replied that "our report cannot be shared with the Senate."
"How dare Mr. Hofman say that there is corruption in the Philippines (and refuse) to give us at least the original document?" Santiago said.
"According to the rules of court that is the best evidence," she said.
Santiago also accused the World Bank of "double speak" by charging corruption but not cooperating in the probe and called the institution "a squatter in Philippine territory."
The World Bank last month banned China Road and Bridge Corp. from bidding for projects it funds for eight years, China State Construction Corp. and China Wu Yi Co. Ltd. was banned for six years, and China Geo-Engineering Corp. for five years.
Philippine firm E.C. de Luna Construction Corp. and its sole proprietor, Eduardo de Luna, were both barred indefinitely -- the first permanent ban since 2004, the bank said.
The other Philippine firms, Cavite Ideal International Construction and Development Corp. and CM Pancho Construction Inc., were each banned for four years.
The bank said the firms were found to have colluded in the bidding for a 33 million dollar road project.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
Average (0 votes)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: Asia Pacific
Troops throng Afghan capital as US envoy arrivesAP - 1 hour 12 minutes ago
Second shark attack in SydneyAFP - 1 hour 50 minutes ago
Myanmar party to petition for Suu Kyi's freedomAP - 2 hours 7 minutes ago
2 Filipinos charged with aiding top terroristsAP - 2 hours 10 minutes ago
Mumbai plot partially planned in Pakistan: IslamabadAFP - 2 hours 13 minutes ago
Most Popular – Asia Pacific
Viewed
Merrill bonuses made 696 millionaires: probe
ABB annual net profit drops to 3.1 bln dlrs
British armed police swoop on cowboy party
Crisis shakes steel, auto, oil sectors
Indian woman has football-sized tumour removed from jaw
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Thursday, 12 February 2009 Robin Gibb Becomes First Ambassador For Diana Award
Saving Abel Rocker Jason Null Saved From Sex Charges
Iranian News Agency Responds To Obama's Request For Dialogue
Lawmakers Have Tentative Agreement On $790 Billion Stimulus Price Tag
Unidentified Man's Body Dragged Under Van For 17 Miles Through New York City
Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan CEOs Testify Wednesday On Their Use Of Bailout
Russian Russia's Foreign Minister Says It Might Consider Shipment Of Arms Bound For U.S. Troops In Afghanistan
American Scientists Experimenting With Urine Test For Prostate Cancer
Former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens Wants New Trial After Prosecutors Allegedly Concealed Evidence
McCain Begins Fundraising For 2010 Re-Election
Specter Under Fire For Voting For Senate's $838 Billion Stimulus
States, Cities, Counties Review Immigration Laws
Unidentified Man's Body Dragged Under Van For 17 Miles Through New York City
Favre And Away: Jets Quarterback Confirms Retirement By E-Mail
Despite Congressional Delay Vote, Almost 500 U.S. TV Stations To Push Through With Digital Switch Next Week
EU Relaunches 112 Emergency Number
Queen Elizabeth Appoints New Keeper For The Crown Jewels In Tower Of London
ICC to indict Sudan's Bashir over Darfur
Australia police detain 2 over deadly bushfires
| International
|
Taliban kill 20 in trio of Afghan capital attacks
| International
|
Security stepped up after Kabul blasts
Holbrooke gets Sharif's view on Pakistan
| International
|
Israeli rivals share tough line on Hamas and Iran
ABB annual net profit drops to 3.1 bln dlrs
ICC to indict Sudan's Bashir over Darfur: diplomats
| International
|
Israeli election could boost Hamas truce talks
ICC approves arrest warrant for Sudan's Beshir: NY Times
Twelve held after China state TV complex blaze
| International
|
At least 27 die in Iraq as bombs, shootings shatter lull
Quake near Indonesia's Sulawesi injures about 50
| International
|
US lawmakers embrace 789 billion dollar stimulus
Israel faces gridlock and dim peace prospects
Merrill bonuses made 696 millionaires: probe
Panel orders U.N. to pay costs of oil-for-food chief
| International
|
Fortis shareholders reject break-up of ailing bank
Israeli rivals battle for power after tight vote
Vietnam, Vatican to discuss diplomatic ties
| International
|
Mexico's Calderon raps billionaire Slim on economy
| International
|
Car bombs strike Shiite pilgrims, kill at least 12
British armed police swoop on cowboy party
US trade gap shrinks in 2008 as recession bites
New prostate cancer test gets go-ahead
Videogames seen good for children
| Technology
|
Guitar Hero fails to save Activision
| Technology
|
US lawmakers ink 789 billion dollar stimulus deal
Sirius XM in talks with DirecTV, Liberty: reports
| Technology
|
Sources: Clinton plans to name NKorea envoy soon
Cuba launches own Linux variant to counter U.S.
| Technology
|
Murder Charge Set For Mom Who Dropped Baby In Lake
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,243
FCC to scrutinize stations wanting early DTV switch
| Technology
|
Florida Authorities Search For 5-Year-Old Girl Who Disappeared From Bed At Night
Iranian minister says he's optimistic about US
Ethiopian Police Arrests Man Keeping Belongings Of Slain American Diplomat
Tesla says likely to be profitable by mid-2009
| Technology
|
Facebook settled for 65 million: ConnectU law firm
U.S. Navy Nets 7 Suspected Pirates In Gulf Of Aden
U.S. stimulus bill cleared for House and Senate votes
US-TECH Summary
U.S., Russian Communications Satellites Collide In Orbit
Pennsylvania County Judges' Harsh Sentences On Juveniles Under Review
"Guitar Hero" fails to save Activision
Russia, US discuss Afghan transit
Sirius XM Radio To File For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Videogames seen good for children
AP interview: Lithuania seeks assurance from US
Madoff's Wife Withdrew Millions Shortly Before Arrest
Obama signs bill delaying digital TV switch to June
US Navy seizes 7 suspected pirates off Somalia
Feb 11 Highlights Of Low Points In U.S. Economy
FCC to scrutinize stations wanting early DTV switch
Feeling The Pinch: America's Economic Crisis
Facebook most-visited social networking website
Tesla says likely to be profitable by mid-2009
RIM sees profit at low end of range, shares tumble
Cuba launches own Linux variant to counter U.S.
Nokia says to cut 559 jobs in Finland
Phoenix says no turning back on quitting acting
| Entertainment
|
Desperate Housewives to lose Nicollette Sheridan
| Entertainment
|
Brad Paisley leads Country Music award nominations
| Entertainment
|
NZ dairy confident of safety of milk products
Just A Minute With: singer-songwriter Graham Nash
| Entertainment
|
Shark attack diver in Australia loses hand
Actor Seagal wants to bring Hollywood to Costa Rica
| Entertainment
|
Chinese TV official among 12 held over fire: police
Howard Stern says satellite radio will survive
| Entertainment
|
Scandal-hit Chinese milk firm declared bankrupt: Xinhua
Michelle Obama graces cover of Vogue magazine
| Entertainment
|
Actor Seagal wants to bring Hollywood to Costa Rica
Troops throng Afghan capital after Taliban attacks
Hollywood's Brazilian bombshell Carmen Miranda remembered
NY designers get creative to battle recession
| Entertainment
|
Dozens injured as major quake hits Indonesia
12 detained over massive fire in Beijing complex
A list of some of the world's deadliest wildfires
Chinese court declares dairy bankrupt
China says expects good harvest despite drought
Movies can't change the world, say Israeli, Palestinian filmmakers
Singer-actress Mandy Moore and Ryan Adams engaged
SKorea cuts key interest rate amid recession fears
Actor Seagal wants to bring Hollywood to Costa Rica
Outsourcing firms look to India for growth
`American Idol' gets down to 36 semifinalists
Japan's Pioneer to cut 10,000 jobs worldwide
List of 36 semifinalists on 'American Idol'
S.Korea offers tax waiver to spur home sales
Gloom at major European art fair as boom in sales seen over
Bank of Korea cuts interest rate to new record low
Judge ends Joe Francis' house arrest
Honda slashes new graduate hiring as slump bites
Obama makes pilgrimage to Lincoln assassination site
Seoul shares fall after rate cut;Hynix, banks lose
Howard Stern says satellite radio will survive
Taiwan sells 168-day T-bills at 0.22 percent yield
CORRECTED: Brad Paisley leads Country Music award nominations
Pakistani c.bank sells 11 bln rupees of T-bills
Indonesia lifts tsunami warning issued after quake
Pakistani c.bank to sell T-bills in 7-day repo
Major quake hits Indonesia, tsunami warning lifted
U.S., Russian Communications Satellites Collide
Pakistan says it arrests Mumbai attack plotters
| International
|
Reform candidate slams Iran's hardline president
Military vote could help decide Israeli election
| International
|
Iran building seven more satellites
Playwright Sam Shepard Pleads Guilty To DUI, Ordered To Complete Community Service
U.S. and Russia track satellite crash debris
| International
|
Ne-Yo Sued For New Year's Eve Party No-Show
Afghans investigate Pakistan link to Kabul raids
| International
|
Total oil group reports record French profits
Israel lets Gaza export Valentine's Day flowers
Roadside bomb kills eight Iraqi pilgrims: police
| International
|
Live Nation-Ticketmaster Merger Probed by U.S. Department Of Justice
Miley Cyrus Sued For $4 Billion Over Eyes-Slanting Photo
Iran urges release of citizens held in Iraq by U.S.
| International
|
Pope tells Jews Holocaust denial is intolerable
| International
|
Wounded Sri Lankans, nuns make narrow escape from war
| International
|
US, Russian satellites collide in space
US soldier dies of non-combat injuries in Iraq
Royal watchers can track British Queen on website
| Technology
|
Analysis: Obama faces double dilemmas in Mideast
Qualcomm, HP, MySpace to join Symbian camp
| Technology
|
Qualcomm, HP, MySpace to join Symbian camp
On Darwin's 200th Birthday, Only 39 Percent Of Americans Believe In Evolution
California Governor, Lawmakers Agree On Budget Framework
No New Taxes In W.VA Budget, But Governor Also Has No Pay Raises For State Employees
Special Election For Gillibrand's House Seat Set For March 31
Verizon loses customer switching lawsuit
| Technology
|
Senate Panel Unanimously Backs Leon Panetta's Nomination As CIA Director
Glass Manufacturer AGC Flat Glass N America Announces Layoffs Of 232 Workes With Closure Of W.VA Plant
'Baby Doc's' millions set to return to Haiti
Employers Block Jobless Benefits Of Former Workers
Nine dead in Russia shootout
Ethanol Companies Badly Hit By Lower Gas Prices
200th Anniversary Of Abraham Lincoln's Life Celebrated
House Rules Committee Takes Up $789 Stimulus; Bill May Be Signed Into Law Friday
Zellweger plays woman desperately seeking husband
| Entertainment
|
Dengue kills 5, infects thousands in Indonesia
Australia blames arsonists for deadly wildfires
Thirst for learning defies forced marriage in film
| Entertainment
|
Sri Lankan troops declare new civilian safe zone
Despite economy, the show must go on in Hollywood
SKorea warns NKorea against missile test plan
Rihanna postpones show, police continue probe
| Entertainment
|
Official: Mumbai attack launched from Pakistan
On Darwin's 200th Birthday, Only 39 Percent Of Americans Believe In Evolution
Philippines summons World Bank official
Pakistani forex reserves rise to $10.29 bn
Troops throng Afghan capital after Taliban attacks
Pakistani stocks and rupee end weaker
Indonesia appeals acquittal of dictator's son
China's bank loans double in January to $237 bln
Connecticut Opera closes down, citing bad economy
NKorea claims nature celebrating Kim's birthday
WRAPUP 3-S.Korea cuts rates to record low, more to come
Report: Hardwicke declined huge `New Moon' payday
China official: Tibetan areas closed to foreigners
China shares mixed on lower exports
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Thirst for learning defies forced marriage in film
Taiwan eyes quick parliament approval for spending
Despite economy, the show must go on in Hollywood
Taiwan dollar hits 4-1/2-year closing low on funds
Music streaming service draws record labels' ire
Yamaha Motor expects first loss in 26 years
Charley Pride leads Arkansas lawmakers in song
S.Korea fin min, c.bank chief to meet on Fri
Israel allows Gaza flowers out for Valentine's
Nikkei falls to 3-month low on US bailout worries
AFP, French partner launch global leisure newswire in Asia
Neil Young added to Jazz Fest, but Aretha cancels
Research Suggests Paying People To Stop Smoking Works Wonders
Leukemia, HIV Patient Symptom Free Two Years After Stem Cell Transplant
Nation Celebrates Lincoln's 200th Birthday With Ceremonies, New Penny
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights