House panel defers MMDA budget hearing over Bayani statement

MANILA, Philippines - Opposition lawmakers on Friday succeeded in deferring the hearing for the Metro Manila Development Authority's (MMDA) proposed 2009 budget after MMDA chief Bayani Fernando said drivers can go as fast as they can along the almost 24-kilometer EDSA road that traverses the northern and southern parts of Metro Manila. "I move to defer the budget of the MMDA because this budget may be used to promote traffic accidents in EDSA," said Senior Deputy Minority leader Roilo Golez. Makati City Representative Mar-Len Abigail Binay, daughter of former MMDA chief and current Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, seconded the motion. During the subcommittee hearing, Golez questioned Bayani's use of motorcycled police escorts, saying that a circular distributed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said only the President, Vice-President, Supreme Court Chief Justice, Senate President, House Speaker, and Philippine National Police chief can have them. Bayani justified his hiring of police escorts by saying that the cops accompanying him on his travels are traffic enforcers who attend to traffic problems that they may encounter along the way. "We manage the traffic in Metro Manila, and my escorts are traffic enforcers," Fernando replied. Fernando added that he has police escorts to manage the traffic so he would get to his destination on time--a statement which Golez questioned, saying Fernando has been bragging that Metro Manila traffic has now eased and drivers can now go as fast as 60 kilometers per hour along EDSA. Fernando replied by saying drivers can even go beyond 60 kilometers per hour because the MMDA wants as little traffic congestion as possible. "More than that, as much as you can," Fernando retorted. A visibly bothered Golez then moved to defer the budget. "That to me is a very reckless, irresponsible statement on the part of the MMDA chairman," Golez said. Golez said he would withdraw his motion to defer if Fernando says he was kidding about his statement that there is no speed limit along EDSA, but the MMDA chairman replied, "I'm not kidding." Earlier, the opposition solon also grilled Fernando on other rules that the MMDA chairman supposedly violated, particularly in connection to the MMDA tarpaulins strewn across Metro Manila highways. Citing MMDA Regulation 04-004 signed by Fernando on Sept. 2, 2004, Golez pointed out that it was unlawful for any person or corporation to install or display billboards along major thoroughfares and other roads without the approval of the MMDA and permits from local government units (LGUs) concerned. He then questioned the MMDA chairman if he is violating the regulation which he himself signed. Fernando defended the posting of the MMDA tarpaulins, which carry his image, by saying they are posted on national highways that LGUs "understand" to be under MMDA jurisdiction. "These are on national highways which are under our jurisdiction," said Fernando. "We have an understanding with LGUs that national highways are under MMDA." "Somehow I have administrative prerogatives," the MMDA chairman added. Fernando, who had publicly announced his intention to run as president in the 2010 elections, also said there is nothing political about the tarpaulins, which bear road safety reminders, except "perhaps my picture." The subcommittee hearing on the MMDA's proposed budget was almost deferred at the very beginning of the hearing when, upon the inquiry of Golez, Fernando admitted that the MMDA 2009 budget proposal has not been approved by the Metro Manila Council and that this has been the "practice" for a long time. Golez had earlier pointed out that under Republic Act 7924 or "An Act Creating the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority," the MMDA must first secure the Metro Manila Council's approval of the proposed budget before presenting it to Congress. The opposition lawmaker conceded to hearing the budget, however, after Fernando assured that they would give their "best effort" to obtain the approval of the Metro Manila Council before the plenary hearings on the 2009 budget. The Department of Budget and Management has allotted P1.79 billion for the MMDA's 2009 budget, only about one-fourth the P5.9 budget being requested by the MMDA. - GMANews.TV