C-5 road report done; Villar verdict out soon

By Angie M. Rosales
12/18/2009




Original Story: http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20091218hed3.html


The “fate” of presidentiable Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. insofar as actual findings by the upper chamber that investigated him on alleged misconduct in the C-5 road extension project will be known soon following the submission of the committee report to Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.

Both Enrile and Sen. Panfilo Lacson confirmed this yesterday but they kept mum on the findings or what will be meted against their embattled colleague.

“I have already signed it and it is being routed,” Enrile, also the committee of the whole chairman, told reporters during the Kapihan sa Senado news forum.

Although they are set to resume sessions today and adjourn for the Christmas break, Enrile said it is likely that they will tackle the matter in January, when they have already gathered all the signatures.

“I cannot tell you the findings as of now,” he said.

Lacson who admitted affixing his signature to the report earlier in the day also would not give even a hint as to the findings arrived at by the Committee of the Whole.

He, however, conceded that unless it will carry the signature of 12 members, whether they dissent or adopt the findings and recommendations, such committee report will not be rendered valid.

Its submission before the plenary will put into question the resolution filed last month by 12 senators effectively moving to absolve Villar from the ethics complaint filed by Sen. Jamby Madrigal who claimed that Villar profited from the C-5 road construction project.

Those who signed the resolution were Senate Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Senators Gregorio Honasan, Loren Legarda, Joker Arroyo, Alan Peter Cayetano, Ramon Revilla Jr., Francis Pangilinan, Lito Lapid, Pia Cayetano, Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Villar.

Estrada later withdrew his signature from the resolution.

“They (senators) should sign because if they don’t, there will be no committee report to be reported on the floor,” Lacson said.


Original Story: http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20091218hed3.html