Ombudsman to decide on ZTE deal mess before yearend

MANILA, Philippines - The Ombudsman on Wednesday said it expects to resolve issues surrounding the controversial $329.48-million national broadband network deal with China's ZTE Corp. before the end of this year. In a statement posted on the Ombudsman's website, Assistant Ombudsman Jose de Jesus said the investigating panel is only waiting for former poll chairman Benjamin Abalos's comments on the case before it schedules a final meeting to review the records. De Jesus noted that the period of extension asked by Abalos will expire this Friday. "Barring unforeseen circumstances, the panel looks at late November or early December of this year to resolve the case," de Jesus said. In the meantime, de Jesus said orders to file verified position papers will be sent out. After that, he said the panel will consider if the conduct of clarificatory hearings would still be necessary or deem the case submitted for resolution already. The panel conducted its first public hearing last February 18. The ZTE panel includes Overall Deputy Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro as chairman and Deputy Ombudsman Emilio Gonzalez III, Deputy Special Prosecutor Robert Kallos, Assistant Ombudsman Rodolfo Elman and Dir. Caesar Asuncion as members. - GMANews.TV