|
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Lacson hits 'hidden' insertions in national budget
MANILA -- Senator Panfilo Lacson on Monday criticized "hidden" insertions in the national budget.
In his privilege speech, Lacson particularly questioned an alleged double funding of the C-5 Road project in Sucat, Parañaque City, which according to him is a "road to nowhere" mess.
What's your take on the Mindanao crisis? Discuss views with other readers
He directly linked Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. to the project, which will connect South and North Luzon expressways.
Lacson said although there is nothing wrong in insertions per se, many of these are "hidden" in lump sum items with vague descriptions and are used for personal gain.
He said such congressional insertions should be investigated so that the people can be enlightened for the purpose of transparency.
According to him, there is no political motive behind his expose.
Lacson added that his expose does not mean to undermine Villar's presidential bid in 2010. He also denied any plan from his camp to grab the Senate President post.
"No political motive whatsoever. Walang kinalaman sa iyong pagtakbo sa 2010 (This has nothing to do with your presidential bid in 2010) nor with your Senate presidency," he said.
In reply to Lacson's allegations, Villar said he did not benefit from the C-5 Road project.
He also welcomed the investigation requested by Lacson.
Some senators supported Lacson's request for investigation on the anomalous P200-million entry to the national budget for a road that already had funding.
Senate Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan recommended that all those with vested interests, including Villar and other presidentiables, inhibit themselves from the case.
"There should be no sacred cows. Those throwing accusations should also be open to letting the investigation take its natural course," he said.
Sought for a comment, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. virtually defended Villar, saying he was not even a part of the bicameral conference committee that approved the budget, after the double funding were inserted and forwarded to Malacañang for the signing of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
He added that the timing of Lacon's expose is suspicious since as a member of the bicameral committee, he should have an idea of what they have signed.
Andaya said they are leaving the issue to the Senate to thresh out, stressing that this is a Senate affair.
He also assured that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is not releasing any double appropriation whether for the P200 million C-5 Road project or any other infrastructure projects.
Deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez, for his part, said Lacson should show proof that there were irregularities in the 2008 budget particularly after alleged insertions.
Golez said insertions in the budget per se are not illegal especially if "everything undergoes scrutiny by the members of Congress and everything has to be defended by the different government agencies." (JFF/JMR/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cebu. (September 16, 2008 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
