Probe to stay clear of conflict of interest

BY DENNIS GADIL

A SENATE investigation on the allegations of Sen. Panfilo Lacson of a double budget funding entry on the C-5 extension project opens today but it would not touch on the properties of Senate President Manuel Villar, which could have benefited from the project.

"Hindi na sa amin ‘yun. They should file a case, bring it to the court, or dapat sa ethics," said Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, finance committee chair.

Enrile said allegations of conflict of interest against Villar are not within the mandate of his committee.

He said his panel will not summon Villar.

"Kung gusto niyang pumunta, that’s his call. I will take his statement based on his oath as senator," he said.

Enrile said he would call the secretaries of the budget and of the public works and highways departments to shed light on the double entry controversy.

"The DPWH implements; the DBM disburses the amount. They should know about this," he said.

He said the Senate panel also wants to know if the first P200 million had indeed been disbursed for the road project.

Enrile said he is assuming full responsibility if indeed it is found during the investigation that he as Senate finance chair was remiss in his duties in the double entry issue.

Lacson, in a privilege speech, bared the double entry in the 2008 budget, which has two separate fundings for a single road extension project for the same amount for a total of P400 million.

The C-5 road extension project seeks to connect the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) to C-5 road and up to Coastal Road.

Villar has already admitted pushing for the additional P200 million but stressed it was only a recommendation.

Enrile has said it was Villar who authored the amendment.

Lacson has said that the second P200 million appropriation was meant to line the pockets of some politicians.