GMA allies oppose signage ban

MANILA, Philippines - Allies of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the House of Representatives are opposing President Aquino’s directive asking politicians not to place their names and pictures on government project billboards, saying the directive would not promote transparency.             

Members of the House minority bloc met yesterday with Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson to express their opposition to the directive.           

Mr. Aquino’s directive also requires politicians to place the name of the contractor and the project cost on the project billboard.

Lawmakers said this provision would make them vulnerable to the collection of revolutionary taxes by communist rebels.

Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez said in his province, New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas ask for three percent of the gross amount of the project as revolutionary tax.    

He also said the ban would be unfair to new lawmakers who need to prove that they can keep the promises they made during the elections.

Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay said placing their names on project billboards would help the administration monitor the use of pork barrel funds.

“It’s better if we have signages with regard to our use of the PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund) because it’s a good gauge whether we have done something for our districts and what we have done with our PDAF,” she said. Iloilo Rep. Augusto Syjuco said if the Department of Public Works and Highways would not let them place their names on the projects, they would just spend for their own signage.                                                       

He said he is sure lawmakers under the administration banner also dislike the ban but have kept silent for fear of reprisal from Malacañang.                                       

“If he (Mr. Aquino) does not want to put his name in projects, then okay, but if we want to put ours, he should not meddle in our affairs,” Syjuco said.

Magsaysay and Syjuco said putting their names on project billboards would also assure their constituents they are fulfilling their campaign promises.

“We have promises to keep, projects to meet. It’s essential that when projects come up, people know that we have delivered on our promises,” Syjuco said.

Camarines Norte Rep. Elmer Panotes said that if they do not place their names on project billboards, some local officials like mayors, might try to steal credit by placing their own names and pictures in project sites.