Premier Mao Chi-kuo today solemnly repudiated media reports that he leaked a citizen's petition from Legislator Chen Tan-sun, saying the accusation is absolutely groundless and Chen's statements are not supported by facts.
As for Chen's repeated petitions on specific matters, the Executive Yuan has always handled these issues in accordance with judicial verdicts.
Executive Yuan Spokesperson Sun Lih-chyun elaborated that when Mao personally received the petition handed by Legislator Chen on March 31 (last month), the premier immediately turned it over to the Executive Yuan's Legal Affairs Committee for scrupulous deliberation. With due respect for the Legislature, the case has been handled with great care and caution, and there has absolutely not been an information leak. The media reports of such a leak are absolutely nonfactual, providing no evidence, and are mere speculations. As for Legislator Chen's obtaining materials from the concerned party, the Executive Yuan has no knowledge of the matter.
Regarding Legislator Chen's petitions on the Pacific Sogo department store case, the Executive Yuan pointed out that as media reported, the case has undergone mediation since 2013, involving two secretaries-general and four economic ministers. Following Chen's latest petition, the Executive Yuan's legal affairs department, after cautious deliberation, found the administration has no room for decision as the Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) had already delivered a verdict in 2013; in addition, two major defendants have yet to receive verdicts for their criminal actions. Therefore it is not advisable to follow Legislator Chen's proposal to ask the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) to make resolutions contrary to SAC verdicts.
Sun stated that the Executive Yuan and MOEA are consistent in their views on the Pacific Sogo case, in which Premier Mao has never been involved. The premier acknowledges and adheres to the administration's position: the case's judicial process is still ongoing, and the administration has no room for decision. Therefore, the so-called "gatekeeper" saying [the allegation that Premier Mao is protecting the Far Eastern Group] is meaningless, groundless and nonfactual. An accusation must be substantiated with evidence; otherwise, it will only hurt people's reputation.
Media reports on the relationship between Premier Mao and Far Eastern Group Chairman Douglas Dong Hsu are completely out of focus and nonfactual. During his tenure as minister of transportation and communications, Mao dealt with the freeway electronic toll collection system in line with the spirit of openness and transparency and in accordance with the law and contracts, Sun pointed out. Premier Mao has been in public office for decades and he has stringently abided by the distinction and demarcation of public and private affairs, and has executed them accordingly in a frank and forthright manner. The premier greatly regrets that media published speculative reports without checking the facts.