Senate starts probe of controversial double insertions in 2008 budget

MANILA, Philippines – The Senate will start today its investigation into the controversial issue of double insertions in the 2008 national budget.

Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, chairman of the Senate committee on finance, said they have invited Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. and former Finance chief Benjamin Diokno to answer questions on whether the first P200-million allocation for the C-5 road extension project has been released and the status of the other allocation for the same project.

Enrile said the committee wants to clarify the total cost of the project and determine if there is basis for the allegation of wrongdoing hurled by opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson against Senate President Manuel Villar Jr.

Lacson had accused Villar of working for the double insertion of P200 million in the C5 Road Extension project. The controversy has caused a major rift among senators allied with Villar and some members of the opposition.

Enrile challenged critics questioning his integrity as chairman of the Senate committee on finance that drafted the 2008 budget and is now looking into the 2009 budget to file charges against him if they have evidence of wrongdoing on his part.  

“I want to be charged if they have any evidence of wrongdoing. But that has always been the practice,” Enrile said, referring to the amendments made out of the budget during bicameral conference.

Enrile assured critics he would take responsibility for the consequences of the investigation involving his colleagues.

“I will assume responsibility if there is anything illegal in what we did. I will assume it. I will not pass the buck to anybody,” Enrile added during an interview with dzBB radio.

Enrile said he will allow fellow senators to ask questions of the resource persons but hinted he will block any effort to put in the issue of conflict of interest by Villar.

Asked if Villar’s real estate properties benefited from the C5 Road Extension project, Enrile said such issues “are already not part of legislation” and should be brought to court.

“I will not make a conclusion, it’s up to the proper authorities to determine whether there is something wrong or not in that case. I will not venture into that area,” he said.

Sen. Loren Legarda, for her part, was unable to hide her disappointment about Villar, particularly his failure to call for a senators’ caucus in the year since he became Senate president.

Legarda hit Villar’s frequent delegation of duties to Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, and scored Villar’s failure of leadership.

She added that the Senate cannot “sweep the issue under the rug” just because a fellow senator is involved. 

Legarda said she wants to determine if there was a technical mistake and who was behind the double insertion.

Legarda was among the senators from the minority who signed the resolution seeking an investigation into the issue.

The resolution was referred to Enrile’s committee. 

Another resolution seeking to probe the alleged P92-million right of way in the same government road project was referred to the Senate Blue Ribbon committee led by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.