By Kit Bagaipo
The Bohol ChronicleThe star witness of the scrapped national broadband network (NBN) project yesterday denied allegations that he had brokered a deal with the provincial government for ZTE Corporation of China to bag the Panglao Bohol International Airport project.
Rodolfo "Jun" Lozada, the whistleblower of the alleged anomalous NBN deal between the Philippine government and ZTE, declared he has no connections with the Chinese firm or any of its corporate officials.
Lozada is here in the province to speak in a gathering at the Holy Name University this morning that is organized by the Boholanos for Truth, Accountability and Reform, a multi-sectoral group organized by religious, business, non-government organizations and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Bohol chapter.
A ranking Capitol official had leaked details of a confidential meeting with Lozada here sometime in March 2007, about two months before the elections.
The official from Capitol, who spoke by condition of anonymity, disclosed that Lozada acted as negotiator for ZTE to bag the Panglao airport project.
The source said that ZTE, through Lozada, offered some P200-million purportedly for the campaign funds of Gov. Erico Aumentado who was then at the height of his bid for re-election.
According to the provincial government official, Lozada asked to discuss the offer with Aumentado.
However, the governor refused to meet him but sent word that ZTE can participate in the public bidding for the airport project if the Chinese were interested, the Capitol source said.
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