MANILA, Philippines — A businessman is willing to testify in any investigation that Commission on Elections Chair Benjamin Abalos Sr. offered a rival firm of China’s ZTE Corp. $10 million to withdraw from the national broadband network (NBN) project.

“I’m willing to testify before the Ombudsman, the Supreme Court or any congressional investigation. There is nothing to hide,” the businessman told the Inquirer.

But the businessman declined to be named in the meantime, saying he did not want to be cited in contempt by the high court, which has been asked to nullify the ZTE contract.

The businessman said Abalos had attempted to bribe Jose “Joey” de Venecia III, cofounder of Amsterdam Holdings Inc. (AHI) and son of Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr.

Abalos refused to comment on the allegation that he tried to bribe De Venecia so AHI would withdraw its bid for the NBN project.

“I think I have said enough. How can I comment on something I don’t know?” Abalos said on the phone.

AHI and US-based Arescom had protested the ZTE contract, which was signed during President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s trip to Boao, China, on April 21.

The NBN is envisioned to establish a seamless connectivity of landline, cellular and Internet services among all national government agencies and offices

More Here