Senate ethics panel dared to probe Villar

MANILA, Philippines - An opposition senator on Monday challenged the head of the Senate ethics committee to investigate Senate President Manuel Villar over allegations that there was conflict of interest in the double entry of the P200 million allocation for the C5 road project in the 2008 national budget. "I challenge Senator Pia Cayetano to hear this immediately," Sen. Ma. Ana Consuelo Madrigal told reporters before the Senate session. "Kasi ang question dito ay si Sen. Villar. Nakinabang ba siya sa right of way? Nabayaran ba siya sa right of way at inilihis niya ba ang C-5 para dumaan sa kanyang mga properties?" Madrigal said. The senator also raised the possibility of plunder if it will be found that Villar used government funds for the said project. "Ito ang conflict of interest, unethical kung ginamit niya yung pondo ng gobyerno. May possible plunder dito. Mabuti na lang hindi death penalty ang plunder," Madrigal said. She said the opposition has the documents which show that Villar's Adelfa properties (now Brittany Corporation) and Golden Haven own the lands affected by the construction of the C-5 road. "Madami pa kaming ebidensiya na magpapatunay na isa lang dito sa amin sa senado ang nakinabang, si Sen Villar," Madrigal said. In a separate interview, Cayetano expressed readiness to conduct an investigation against Villar but a resolution should be filed before the ethics committee first. "Trabaho ng ethics committee to receive any complaint that is filed before it. Just like any other committee, hanggang kaya naming imbestigahan at tignan ang issue na 'yun, I'm duty bound, as a chairman, to look into whatever complaint is filed," Cayetano said. The senator said she will conduct the probe, even it involves Villar, as long as procedures are followed. "That is no difference (Villar as the subject of investigation). There are procedures to be followed. As long as it goes through the process ( we will conduct a probe). Yun ang sensitivity of the ethics committee, looking into propriety of the actions of your colleagues. It is a difficult task but that is what it is," Cayetano said. The senator said she will not initiate the filing of the resolution as, at present, her hands are full in her other committees. She also cannot say if she will prioritize the probe on Villar. "I can't say for sure it this issue is heavier than the other complaints filed and those previous complaints were in a way resolved outside the committee." Cayetano said as a sitting member of the finance committee, which tackled the double entry mess, she saw no overwhelming evidence of impropriety on the issue presented during the hearing. "I did not see any. I sat there and I speak as a citizen who would be concerned as to the proper allocation of government funds. I honestly have to say I did not see anything improper with that insertion. Walang pupuntahan yun kundi mabuti," Cayetano said. - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV