President Rodrigo Duterte has sacked the entire board and management of Nayong Pilipino Foundation for leasing government property for 70 years, Malacañang announced Tuesday.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the President has ordered the dismissal of the NPF officials as he expressed his exasperation over the continuing corruption in the government during the 28th Cabinet meeting Tuesday.
“The President cited the case of Nayong Pilipino, which leased government property for a ridiculously long period of time of 70 years, beyond the life of anyone. The President considered this… contract… grossly disadvantageous to the government,” said Roque in a press briefing Tuesday.
He added that the papers that will formally terminate the entire board and all the managers of the cultural park in Clark, Pampanga will be issued soon.
“They will be issued in due course by the Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea,” said Roque, emphasizing that everyone in NPF will be discharged.
For its part, Landing International Development Ltd. of Hong Kong said it was pushing through with its multi-billion-dollar resort project as its lease contract with Nayong Pilipino remains valid and effective. (Story on B1)
In a statement, NPF chairman Patricia Ocampo said they would adhere to the decision of the President discharging all the foundation’s board of trustees and management.
“On behalf of the board of trustees of the Nayong Pilipino Foundation, I would like to thank the President for having been given the opportunity to serve the Filipino people. It is regrettable that it has come to this, but we understand that we serve at the pleasure of the President,” Ocampo said, adding they will continue to serve the President in their own capacities and help rid the country of graft and corruption.
Ocampo denied accusations of the graft after the foundation leased property out for a $1.5-billion integrated resort-casino project in Entertainment City, Parañaque City.
“I strongly deny accusations that there were graft and corruption. On the contrary, the lease contract with Landing International Development Ltd. is above-board and is highly advantageous to the government and to the Filipino people,” Ocampo insisted.
She also explained that the Nayon Landing, a 9.5-hectare property, is supposed to be the country’s top entertainment and leisure place by 2020, showcasing Filipino-inspired interior designs, world-class hotels, and facilities, and the newest cultural theme park with iconic architecture.
Ocampo also added that the term of release for the said project was only 25 years and not 70 years as reported.
Monthly rentals were pegged at P360 per square meters while the advance rental was placed at P827.05 million. NPF will also receive an additional monthly rental amounting to 10 percent net profits.
“We negotiated what we believed then, and believe now, are most advantageous terms and conditions for the government and the people,” Ocampo said.
Earlier, Ocampo and several executives from Hong Kong-based Landing International led the groundbreaking ceremony for the said $1.5-billion resort-casino project.
The incumbent members of the foundation’s board of trustees are Grace Panagsagan, Danny Camerino, Ivan Henares, Mila Ladrido, and Ray Dean Salvosa.
Under the Department of Tourism, the NPF is a government-owned and controlled organization established in 1969 to promote the diversity of Philippines’ heritage and culture.
