Senate wants gov’t to stop releasing funds from road users’ tax

MANILA, Philippines – The Senate has adopted a resolution that seeks to stop the release of funds from road users’ tax as Congress has “in effect” passed a bill that would abolish the Road Board.

No one objected when Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon asked his colleagues on Thursday to approve a resolution that will urge the Road Board through the Office of the President and Office of the Executive Secretary not to release money gathered from levy imposed to vehicle owners.

“We move that the Senate pass a sense of the Senate resolution urging the Road Board and the Office of the President not to release any funds which would constitute the Road Users’ tax now administered by the Road Board,” Drilon said during the session.

“So be it, Mr. President that this resolution be adopted subject to style,” he added.

Drilon pointed out both chambers of Congress — the Senate and the House of Representatives — have passed “in effect” a bill that would abolish the Road Board, and that the measure was just awaiting the signature of the President.

According to the Minority Leader, the bill to abolish the Road Board was already approved by both chambers because the Senate just adopted the House of Representatives’ version of the measure.

“Technically therefore, Mr. President, the bill originating from the House was passed by both chambers and therefore dispensed with the bicameral conference committee to thresh out the disagreeing provision because there was no more disagreeing provision,” Drilon explained. Daphne Galvez, INQUIRER.net

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