MANILA, Philippines -- President Benigno Aquino III should bare the identities of businessmen who will invest in the country through the build-operate-transfer scheme to shore up the economy, Albay Representative and minority leader Edcel Lagman said Thursday.

Speaking at the Serye news forum in Quezon City, the senior lawmaker said the public should be made aware of the track record, background and political affiliation, if any, of these investors.

Aquino said in his State of the Nation Address that with a budget deficit of P196.7 billion, the government would find it difficult to meet the needs of the people in education, infrastructure, health and security.

One solution, he said, was a public-private partnership that will undertake the projects under a BOT scheme.

?He said that the government will not spend a peso, that could be true but these investors are businessmen, they have to recoup their investment and make profit. Who will, at the end of the day, shoulder the project cost? Will it be the public?? Lagman said.

Since Aquino had said that a number of possible investors has approached him, Lagman said it would be good to let the public know who this businessmen ?with the heart of gold are offering these generous endeavors.?

?We have to check their background, their track record, let?s see if previously they have undertaken BOT projects. . . . let?s have the identity, not the anonymity,? Lagman said.