INQUIRER.net Eleksyon 2007

Santiago: Slash P13M off MMDA budget

INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines -- Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago wants the budget of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) slashed by P13 million for fear the money might go to funding the presidential campaign of agency chairman Bayani Fernando.

From the P1.552-billion approved by the House of Representatives, Santiago proposed that the MMDA’s appropriation for 2009 be reverted to the original P1.539-billion proposed by Malacañang.

“I am not convinced that there are valid reasons for the increase [in the MMDA budget] by the House. If the MOOE (maintenance, operating and other expenses) increase is really necessary, the Office of the President would have included it,” Santiago wrote in a December 8 letter to Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile.

She also questioned the efficiency of the agency, saying that instead of easing traffic, MMDA was merely transferring chokepoints from one place to another.

Santiago also said the MMDA was not beautifying Metro Manila but merely painting “conspicuous roadside houses with [the] colors pink and blue, which are Mr. Bayani Fernando’s signature colors.”

“I cannot help but suspect that some MMDA funds are going to the support of Mr. Fernando’s announced presidential campaign,” she said.

“The evidence consists mainly of his giant posters all around, and even reportedly outside, Metro Manila. In other words, Mr. Fernando is engaged in an unlawful premature campaign, and it is highly likely that he might use the MOOE funds of the MMDA,” she said.

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