Golez on the warpath vs MMDA's Fernando

MANILA, Philippines - Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez is on a warpath against Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chair Bayani Fernando. In a text message sent to reporters Wednesday, Golez accused the MMDA chair of using public funds to further his political ambitions. Golez questioned Fernando’s intention in putting the latter’s tarpaulin along EDSA and constructing U-turn lanes along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City. "Who authorized the MMDA chairman to 'uglify' Metro Manila with his giant facial tarpaulins along EDSA?" the lawmaker lamented. "Who authorized the MMDA chairman to 'uglify' Metro Manila with his makeshift topsy turvy hazardous U-turn lanes, especially those along Commonwealth Avenue, QC that eat up at least two lanes of an otherwise beautiful avenue?" he added. In seeking a congressional probe, Golez wanted to know how much the tarpaulins and the signature pink paint used by MMDA cost and if such had the approval of the Metro Manila mayors. "How much has MMDA spent for all the tarpaulins and all the pink paint for the MMDA chairman’s personal political projection? Do all these expenses have the approval of the MMDA board comprised of the mayors of Metro Manila?" he asked. Golez said Fernando should be held liable for graft for allegedly taking advantage of his position for his personal benefit. "Considering that the MMDA chairman has already announced his bid for higher office in 2010, the tarpaulins are obviously for his personal political benefit and he is, in my opinion, liable to be charged under the Anti-Graft law," he said. As early as January this year, Fernando has expressed readiness to join the presidential race in 2010. Fernando earlier said that he believed he was the best presidential candidate from the ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party. - GMANews.TV