Palace exec: DBM saw 'road to nowhere' double allocation

MANILA, Philippines - A Malacañang official on Friday said that the second P200 million allocated for the C-5 road extension project would not have been released by the Department of Budget and Management even if there had been a double allocation. Presidential spokesman Anthony Golez said the DBM officials themselves saw the double allocation and they would never release it after the first allocation have already been disbursed. "Meron po silang kanya-kanyang mga sistema diyan na pag-ipinasok ulit iyan, malalaman nila rin. Double entry so hindi nila bibigyan talaga ng SARO (special allotment release order) at budget," Golez said. He added that the Senate is free to investigate the incident and determine those responsible for the double entry. However, he said that it would be better and preferable to simply file a case in court. "Ang Palasyo naman po respects the independence of the Senate. Pwede nilang gawin ang kahit anong gusto nilang gawin na naayon sa kanilang mandato pero gaya ng nadidinig na po natin magmula pa noong una, na para magkaraon ng katapusan ang isang alegasyon, kailangang idulog sa korte. Dahil lahat tayo, dapat malaman natin when to start, when to stop, how to stop," Golez said. Under the 2008 budget P200 million has been allocated for the C5 extension project under the "Construction of C5 Road Extension from SLEX to Sucat Road including Right-of-Way," an item that was included in the "Urgent National Arterial, Secondary Roads" program of the Department of Public Works and Highways. A similar P200 million allocation under the "Construction of Pres. Garcia Avenue Extension from SLEX to Sucat Road including Right-of-Way" had been found included in the 2008 budget which pertains to the same road. For his part, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said that there was no second disbursement in connection with the same project. "Nonoy Andaya, our DBM secretary, clearly stated that there had been no disbursement at all on that second P200 million, "Dureza said.- GMANews.TV