Contractors paying for GMA posters?

Private money pooled by contractors, not public funds, was used to pay for the huge billboard displayed on one of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ buildings at its head office in Manila, DPWH officials said.

The officials claimed the contractors pooled their resources to put up the huge billboard, which features President Arroyo together with acting DPWH Secretary Florante Soriquez against a backdrop of the Arroyo administration’s infrastructure achievements.

The billboard faces Bonifacio Drive. On it is written the phrase, "Infrastrakturang Pangkabuhayan at Pangkaunlaran, ngayon lang (Infrastructure for industry and progress, only now)!"

DPWH Assistant Secretary Rafael Yabut was quick to deny that government resources were used for the construction of the billboard.

Earlier, former senator Francisco Tatad accused the Arroyo administration of using government funds to finance what seem to be campaign materials and campaign sorties for the President.

The construction of the billboard coincided with the repainting of the DPWH head office at a cost of P3.5 million, Yabut said.

He said the cost of the repainting job was actually very cheap, compared with the original P5-million allocation for the project. Yabut added that the repainting of the DPWH was overdue, since buildings at the head office were last repainted in 1998.

It is for all the buildings, including the back and (the paint job) has three coatings," he said.

"Actually, the government saved a lot for that project, the contractor really nosedived for that," Yabut added, referring to the Pampanga-based Vitug Construction company, which undertook the project.

"The project underwent the normal bidding process. It is not negotiated," he said. "The contractor must have thought that by having your name displayed as the contractor of the DPWH project is already a good investment on its own."

According to National Contractors Association of the Philippines (NACAP) president Willy Castor, the cost of the repainting job would be justified depending on the extent of the project.

However, Faustino Sta. Maria, head of the DPWH administrative and manpower management service, said the repainting contract only covers the "exteriors of the DPWH head office buildings." Sta. Maria is part of the planning committee that studied the project.

"It was Secretary Soriquez who wanted the repainting job," Sta. Maria said. "He wanted it rushed."

Castor said NACAP members pooled their resources for the billboard, adding that "if solicitations involved only small amounts, then the contractors may be approached directly. Only if it involves a substantial amount do the solicitations pass NACAP."

Meanwhile Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando said he is still waiting for the Commission on Elections directive banning the use of campaign streamers and posters until the official campaign period begins on Feb. 10 for national candidates and March 25 for local candidates. Campaign materials may be posted only within poster areas to be designated by the Comelec.

The poll body earlier warned candidates against posting campaign materials prematurely, issuing a warning that candidates who violate this rule face disqualification.

"We are acting with prudence on this matter," Fernando said.

The MMDA will follow the Comelec’s orders to take down streamers and posters of candidates found violating campaign rules. — With Nikko Dizon