Loren seeks ‘truth’ vote on C-5 report
SEN. Loren Legarda yesterday called on her colleagues, including those from the majority bloc, to vote on the C-5 road extension road project controversy based on their conscience.
"I expect a vote based on truth and factual evidence. Not based on politics and party stand," Legarda said during the weekly Kapihan sa Senado.
The Senate on Wednesday set aside debates on the Committee of the Whole Report 780 censuring Sen. Manuel Villar for allegedly using his influence to benefit his and his family’s real estate from the project.
The report further recommended that Villar should return some P6.22 billion the government spent for the project.
Majority leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said interpellations on the report will resume on Monday. He said he expects a vote on the same day or on Tuesday.
Zubiri said the majority bloc requested a cease-fire to focus on pending bills like exempting senior citizens from the 12 percent expanded value-added tax (E-VAT), the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, and the early voting in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Legarda said the Senate investigation and the release of its subsequent report "smacks of political persecution … clearly there was no factual evidence to point to any wrongdoing."
Legarda said she expects Villar to answer all the accusations before Congress adjourns sine die on Feb. 5.
Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles and Pampanga auxiliary Bishop Pablo David appealed to lawmakers to handle the C-5 road controversy with proper decorum and good behavior instead of engaging in personal and below-the-belt attacks.
"We hope our Senators will show Philippines a better behavior. Yung kailangan bang sila ay maging model… we always have to be right and we always have to be proper," said Arguelles over Radio Veritas.
"They should act with statesmanship kasi masyado nang bumaba ng bumaba ang antas ng pulitika. Dapat ipakita naman nila yung dangal ng mga pulitikong Pilipino," added David. – JP Lopez and Gerard Naval
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