NAIS malaman ni Deputy Speaker David “Jayjay” Suarez ng Quezon ang lawak ng impluwensya ng mga Chinese national sa operasyon at pamamahala sa National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

Ayon kay Suarez isang Chinese ang chairman ng NGCP at isang Chinese na kilala sa pangalang “Wenbo” ang kasali umano sa nagpapasya sa pagbili ng mga lupa para sa mga proyekto ng NGCP.

“So how is it possible that the chairman of NGCP was able to be elected as chairman when their shares only represent not even half or minority of the company? Oftentimes, the majority shareholders would be able to elect their chairman. How is it here in NGCP, a minority share was able to hold chairmanship of the company?” tanong ni Suarez sa pagdinig ng House Committee on Legislative Franchises noong Enero 14.

“Understood. The board of directors would elect. Now, isn’t it quite ironic that a minority shareholder will hold the highest position in the company?” ayon pa kay Suarez.

Kinumpirma ni Atty. Lally Mallari ng NGCP na si Zhu Guangchao, na isang Chinese national, ay ang kasalukuyang chairman ng kompanya.

“Mr. Chair, insofar as the composition of the board of directors, the chairman, Mr. Chair, from what I understand, is just presiding. So not much functions,” ayon pa rito.

“No, no, no. But regardless, di ba? That’s the chairman. 60% is Filipino-owned iyan. Mas gugustuhin ko na ang chairman Filipino. Bakit ko ibibigay sa dayuhan iyan eh 40% lang yung kanilang hawak,” mabilis na tugon ni Suarez.

“Can I also ask Mr. Chair if indeed Atty. Mallari’s testimony is correct? Can I also request the minutes of the elections of how the board conducted themselves, Mr. Chair?” dagdag nito.

Tiniyak naman ni Mallari sa komite ang pagsusumite ng hinhinging minutes of the meeting. Binanggit pa ni Suarez ang isyu ng executive control, na tumukoy sa isang Chinese executive na si “Wenbo,” na diumano’y humingi ng mga awtorisasyon para sa mga pag-aari ng lupa na gagamitin sa mga proyekto ng NGCP.

“I have documents here from NGCP addressed to the president of the company from their chief technical officer, whose name is Wenbo. And the subject of the document is request for approval of authority to purchase lands and land rights,” ayon kay Suarez.

“Bakit hindi po ba ito pwede ang pagkatiwala sa Pilipino? Pati po ba ‘yung pagbili ng lupa? Sila na rin po ang magdedesisyon? Sila din po ang mag-a-approve? Bakit po ganun?” tanong pa ng kongresista.

Sinabi naman ni Mallari na hindi siya pamilyar sa tungkulin ni Wenbo, na aniya’y maaring ang naging partisipasyon ay noon pang mga nakalipas na ton.

“Your Honor, the date of the document is 2014. Perhaps if we could look back to our GIS for 2014, perhaps his name may appear there, Mr. Chair,” sagot pa nito, na sinabing sa kasalukuyan ay walang Chinese national ang humahawak ng executive position sa NGCP.

Hindi nakumbinse sa paliwanag ng opisyal si Suarez, “Documents don’t lie. We find ourselves in a very peculiar situation right now, where sovereignty is a very sensitive topic in our country.”

“Are they actually really in our seas or are they actually in our system? Are they even deciding certain decisions that should be left for Filipinos to decide?” pahayag pa nito.