8 senators seek probe on ‘road to nowhere’ mess

MANILA, Philippines - At least eight senators on Tuesday called for an investigation on the double entry of the P200-million budget for the construction of the C-5 road extension in Parañaque City this year. Opposition Senator Panfilo Lacson spearheaded the move by filing Tuesday Senate Resolution No. 622, which seeks to investigate the “scam” unearthed during the Development Budget Coordinating Council hearing last Monday. Signing the resolution were Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel, other opposition Senators Benigno Aquino III, Rodolfo Biazon, Loren Legarda, Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal, Manuel Roxas II, and administration Senator Richard Gordon. Lacson, in filing the resolution, said he is determined to “unmask” the legislator behind the redundant P200 million appropriation for the said road extension project. He had earlier linked Senate President Manuel Villar Jr in the double insertion. “Whether or not this was his project… may billboard siya dun at may press release siya na may hawak siyang pala (He has a billboard there and a press release with a picture showing him holding a shovel),” Lacson said. Legarda, for her part, described the insertion as “scandalous.” “Isn’t it scandalous to have a double insertion? It’s scandalous!” she said. Villar, on the other hand, denied involvement in the scam and said he is willing to undergo any explanation initiated in the Senate. “I categorically deny any participation in the alleged erroneous appropriation in the 2008 national budget. I am open to any inquiry that will be initiated in the Senate if only to sustain our efforts to promote transparency in government,” Villar said in a statement. Under a section on the 2008 General Appropriations Act, the Department of Public Works and Highways had an item for the construction of the President Carlos Garcia Avenue Extension from SLEX to Sucat worth P200 million. The same item, however, appeared in the GAA under “Urgent Infrastructure Including Local Projects," this time under the item "Construction of C-5 Road Extension from SLEX to Sucat Road," with the same amount appropriated for it. Villar noted that the allegation was hurled against him after he announced his intention to run for president in 2010. “I anticipate that this (announcement of candidacy) will open the floodgates to attacks. (But) I will not taint my good name at this stage with involvement in financial shenanigans,” he said. Lascson however maintained that he is not nitpicking on anyone, especially lawmakers who have announced their candidacy for the upcoming presidential elections. “I am not saying that he inserted this in the budget,” Lacson said in Filipino, referring to Villar. - Mark Ubalde, Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV