A cultural and peace advocate urged the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Tuesday to investigate the alleged connection between first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Maynard Ngu, the tech billionaire behind Cherry Mobile, who some sectors have linked to the widening flood-control controversy.
John Santander went to the ICI building to submit his letter of sentiment addressed to ICI chair Andres Reyes.
He said ICI Executive Director Brian Keith Hosaka received his letter asking the commission to investigate the alleged ties between Marcos and Ngu.
In an interview with reporters after submitting the letter, Santander showed two photos showing Marcos and Ngu together.
‘We are not pro-Marcos. We are not DDS [Die-hard Duterte Supporters], and we are not Kakampink. This is our own perspective as a part or as individuals living in our country,’ he said.
Ngu was recently tagged as the alleged bagman of Sen. Francis Escudero, one of the lawmakers implicated in the anomalies.
Earlier, former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo alleged that he had coursed P160 million in kickbacks through Ngu.
This, according to Bernardo, was allegedly meant for Escudero.
‘FL Liza may have benefitted from Ngu as well’
Based on his letter of sentiment shared with the media, Santander alleged that there is a ‘possibility’ that the first lady also ‘benefited’ from Ngu and/or vice versa.
Santander cited a report wherein Ngu ‘recommended appointments to the Palace, based on lists allegedly provided by the First Lady to former Executive Secretary Atty. Vic Rodriguez even before he can take oath and officially assume the role of Executive Secretary.’
He likewise attached the list that allegedly comes from Rodriguez’ book ‘The Kingmaker:’ ‘In such list, it can be seen that it was Maynard Ngu who recommended DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo to be appointed as a Senior Undersecretary of the [DPWH],’ Santander pointed out.
‘This gives more credibility to the allegations by Bernardo that Maynard Ngu is the bagman of Senator Chiz Escudero, given that it was Ngu who lobbied for Bernardo to be placed in such position,’ he said.
He also told the commission that the appointment of Ngu as special envoy to China for trade, investment and tourism was allegedly brokered by or on the strength of his connections with the first lady.
‘History of friendship’
In the letter, Santander said Marcos and Ngu have a ‘close relationship,’ citing the public events they attended together.
Santander specifically mentioned the recent attendance of Marcos at the event of Ngu’s Cherry Mobile and when the first lady ‘wined and dined’ with Ngu, Escudero and his wife Heart Evangelista in a bar reportedly owned by the businessman.
He then cited a report that on March 24, 2022, Ngu’s bar hosted a ‘high-value fundraiser’ for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who at that time was a presidential candidate.
‘During the 2022 Elections, Liza Araneta-Marcos was widely described as her husband’s campaign strategist and the brains behind everything. It would be impossible that Maynard Ngu’s fundraiser for Marcos Jr. was not coursed through and/or permitted by the First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos,’ Santander recalled.
He emphasized that the report cited that ‘each person who attended the fundraiser contributed or donated P5 million – including Maynard Ngu himself.’
‘Is this the reason why Maynard Ngu was appointed as Special Envoy and why the First Lady would refer to Atty. Vic Rodriguez a list of appointments recommended by Maynard Ngu?’ Santander wondered in the letter.
Reporters sought the comment of Malacañang on the letter of Santander to the ICI but it has yet to respond as of this writing. /apl/abc