Drilon: No need to reconvene bicam for Road Board abolition

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon (File photo by EDWIN BACASMAS / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — The bicameral conference committee need not reconvene for the the dissolution of the controversial Road Board, according to Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon.

Drilon made the statement on Wednesday, three days after House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. accepted the call of Senate Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri to pursue the abolition of the Road Board, which oversees the road user’s tax, also known as the motor vehicle user’s charge (MVUC).

READ: Andaya accepts Zubiri call to strengthen Road Board abolition bill

But Drilon pointed out: “With all due respect to Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, the Senate has already taken the position that the bill to abolish the Road Board is already approved by virtue of its adoption of House Bill 7436 on September 12,” Drilon said.

He said the Senate position was reflected in its Senate Resolution No. 134, urging the Office of the President not to release funds from the MVUC.

The resolution was adopted by the Senate last Dec. 13.

“Convening a bicam has no basis when there is no inconsistent or disagreeing provisions,” Drilon said. “When we adopted the House bill on September 12, there are no more disagreeing provisions.”

“The Senate’s action made the bicam unnecessary, which means the bill to abolish the corruption-plagued agency is already considered passed by both chambers, and should have long been sent to the President’s desk for his signature,” he added. /atm