Senator Sergio Osmeña III yesterday said the flyover at the northern entrance to Bacolod City is part of the P111 billion overpriced President’s Bridge Program consummated during the term of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that is to be investigated by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.

The actual cost of the projects was jacked up between 16 to 21 percent, he said.

Osmeña told the DAILY STAR the Bacolod overpass priced at P360 million could have cost only P150 million if it had been made of pre-stress concrete like the overpasses in Metro Manila, and not steel, that has to be imported from abroad.

He said it was purchased from the United Kingdom company Mayvie & Johnson.

Osmeña, in a recent privilege speech before the Senate, said that irregularities stemming from the program could qualify it as “the grandmother of all scams” under the Arroyo administration.

He said Arroyo will have to explain the contracts forged with foreign companies. Also to be investigated is Kasangga partylist Rep. TeodoricoHarescoJr.for his involvement in the project, he added.

Those responsible for the overpriced project will be liable for plunder, Osmeña said.*CPG

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