MANILA, Philippines ? As if the backing of President Benigno ?Noynoy? Aquino III was not enough, the Liberal Party (LP) on Monday expressed support to Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson in connection with an allegedly midnight deal he struck with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) when he was still a top official of a private water concessionaire.

Quezon Representative and LP spokesman Lorenzo ?Erin? Tanada III branded as ?black propaganda? reports that Singson, then president of Maynilad Water Services Inc., pushed for a water concession deal for the planned Bagong Nayong Pilipino Entertainment City in Paranaque City.

?Obviously, it is a malicious attempt to make it appear that there was a midnight deal, when obviously there was none,? Tanada said, adding that the supposed contract could not be called a midnight deal because it was not initiated within the prohibited period.

?They?re just conditioning the minds of the people that something was wrong,? he added.

Added who could be behind the black propaganda, Tanada did not identify people, but said that they could be among those who would be affected with Singson?s order to review or cancel questionable contracts within the Department of Public Works and Highways.

?The LP sees this as an attempt to derails the reforms PNoy (President Aquino) is asking him to implement in his department,? he added.

Tanada said Singson is ?an upright man, and has served different companies he was previously associated with integrity and beyond reproach.?