Andaya: Duterte wants release of funds for Road Board operations

Majority Floor Leader Rolando Andaya, Jr. during a press briefing at the House of Representatives on Wednesday, December 19, 2018. INQUIRER.net photo / Noy Morcoso

MANILA, Philippines—President Rodrigo Duterte wants to push through with the release of funds for the Road Board operations, House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. said at a press conference Wednesday.

Andaya said that he, together with Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo spoke with the President about the fate of the board in question. After that, he said the lower chamber of Congress decided to rescind its own approval of the measure that supposedly seeks to abolish the graft-ridden Road Board.

“Paliwanag ko lang, bago po winithdraw ng Kamara ang panukalang bill na ito, nagkaroon po kami ng pagkakataon, over dinner, na makausap po ang ating Presidente,” he said.

READ: Senate, House clash over fate of Road Board

The Road Board manages the proceeds of the road user’s tax, known as the motor vehicle user’s charge (MVUC), which motorists pay yearly for the registration of their vehicles.

“Maliwanag po dun sa usapan namin tinanong po namin siya, kung ano ba talaga ang nais pong mangyari ng atin pong mahal na pangulo dun po sa road board at sinabi niya nag-resign nga si Chito Clavano at hindi niya tinanggap ang resignation at ang tanong namin, ‘ano pong ibig sabihin non?’” he said referring to Road Board Executive Secretary Luisito Clavano.

“Pinagkakatiwalaan daw po niya [Duterte] yung tao at palagay po niya, kaya niyang [Clavano] linisin ang sistema at ipagpatuloy na raw po ang pag-release ng project,” he added. “He [Duterte] said, patuloy na ang pag-release ng pondo sa road board, ibig sabihin ipagpatuloy na ‘yung operation ng road board.” /jpv