Villar distances self from C-5 road extension project

MANILA, Philippines - Residents of Cavite, Parañaque and Las Pinas who want the C-5 road project extension to be finished would have to follow up the release of the fund by themselves as the project's main proponent - Senate President Manuel Villar - backed out from pursuing it. In a radio interview Friday, Villar said his pushing for the release of the funds might add to the problem he is already facing in the Senate. "Sa ngayon, parang ayoko na munang maki-ano. Sinasabi ko nga sa mga taga-Cavite, Paranaque at Las Pinas, sila naman ang mag-follow up dito kung gusto nilang matapos dahil marami nang problema ang Senado, baka makadagdag pa (At present, I don't want to get involved. I told those in Cavite, Paranaque and Las Pinas that they should be the one doing the follow up now if they want the project to be finished as it might add to the problems in the Senate)," Villar said when asked if he would request Malacañang for the release of the fund. Villar said that as much as he wanted to push for the project, he needs to distance himself because of the allegations hurled against him. Opposition Senator Panfilo Lacson had linked Villar to the double insertion of P200 million allocation for the C5 project in the 2008 national budget. "Kasi inaakusahan tayo ng hindi maganda (We are wrongly accused)," Villar said. He added he wanted to focus on the more pressing issues first such as the effect of meltdown of foreign economies to the Philippines. "Ako ay nahihiya na nagbabangayan pa kami e ang dapat gawin ng Pilipinas ay maghanda sa posibilidad na tayo ay maapektuhan nitong global meltdown (I am ashamed that we are bickering when what we should be doing is preparing for the possible effect of the global meltdown)," Villar said. Asked what would happen in the resumption of the session on Monday, Villar said he expects the Senate to continue with its work as they have to discuss pending bills such as the renewable energy, Japan Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement, 2009 proposed budget, among others. Villar said he also expects the exchange of words between his and Lacson's camp will cease after the resolution calling for the investigation of the issues raised has been referred to the appropriate committee. - GMANews.TV