Senate, House working on Road Board abolition

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate is willing to convene the bicameral conference committee with the House of Representatives to once and for all hammer out a final version of a bill abolishing the graft-ridden Road Board.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said he would call for a caucus of senators when Congress resumes session on Monday so they can decide on a common stand or even propose amendments to the controversial bill following the announcement of House Majority Leader Roland Andaya Jr. that the lower chamber was ready to convene the bicameral conference committee for the measure.

“I’m calling for one (caucus) right after the roll call at 10 a.m.,” Sotto reporters.

On Dec. 17, the Senate transmitted to President Duterte the bill abolishing the Road Board for him to sign into law, ignoring the House’s request to withdraw the measure.

The senators’ logic then was that the Senate, eager to have the measure enacted into law, adopted the House version of the measure in toto, thereby negating the need for the two chambers to convene the bicameral committee to reconcile conflicting provisions of their respective versions.

The Senate passed its version in February while the House approved its counterpart bill in May.

The House, which had a tumultuous change in leadership in late July, wrote the Senate, trying to recall the measure. The House leadership has refused to sign its enrolled copy for transmittal to Malacañang after the Senate adopted the other chamber’s version.

There is no concrete decision yet from the Senate to convene the bicameral committee but it is likely going to do so following calls for some senators to put in amendments before the bill is to be signed into law.

If the committee is convened, this means the Senate will withdraw the measure it had sent to Malacañang.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said it would be better if both chambers hammer out a new version, including key amendments.

Recto said among these amendments is to place the collections of the Road Board from the motor vehicles user’s charge (MVUC) in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA) so that its allocation to various projects can be scrutinized by Congress.

At present, the MVUC collections taken from annual registration of vehicles is estimated at P45 billion and is under a trust fund or an off-budget item.

“Better to convene the bicam and ensure that all funds go through the GAA and eventually line item all appropriations. That way, it cannot be abused very easily,” Recto said. – With Mary Grace Padin