Enrile sa C-5 issue: Walang double insertion

MANILA, Philippines - Kumbinsido si Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile na walang double insertion sa budget sa C-5 issue.

Sa ika-19 na pagdinig ng Senado kahapon, muling nabigo sina Sen. Maria Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal at Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson na idiin si Sen. Manny Villar sa usapin ng C-5 matapos na ang mga inilatag na testigo mismo ng kampo ni Madrigal at Lacson ang nag-abswelto kay Villar. 

Sinabi ni Atty. Yolanda Doblon, director General ng Legislative Budget Research and Monitoring Office, na walang double insertion sa budget at iisa lamang ang pinag-uusapang proyekto at ‘yun ay ang C5 road extension project.  

Dahil sa paliwanag ni Doblon, sinabi mismo ni Senate President at Committee of the Whole Presiding Officer Juan Ponce Enrile na iisa lamang ang insertion o amendment sa C5 project at hindi doble. 

“If I may interject, this corrects the impression that there is a double insertion. There was only one insertion or amendment. I guess the reason why the amendment of Senator Villar was not added to the original budget allocation given by the President in its original submission of the budget to Congress, was to differentiate that original submission of the President from the amendments of Senator Villar,” sabi ni Enrile.

Sinubukang dikdikin ng kampo ni Madrigal sa pamamagitan ng kanyang abogado na si Atty. Ernesto Francisco si Doblon ngunit matibay ang paninindigan ni Doblon na walang double insertion. Maging sina Sen. Lacson at Mar Roxas ay hindi makapuntos sa mga testigo. (Butch Quejada)