President Duterte indeed wants the Road Board abolished for being nothing but a depository of money for corrupt politicians.
In a speech during the Philippine Air Force change of command ceremony in Pasay City Friday, Duterte acknowledged that there is now a ruckus in Congress about the fate of the Road Board.
“There’s a little bit of a ruckus there in the Congress regarding the abolition or the continuance of the Road Users’ Tax. I believe that the Senate has decided the right thing and has stated that the Road Tax Board has been dismantled,” Duterte said.
Duterte clarified that since the day he assumed the presidency, he has been questioning the existence of the body.
“I’ve always been wary of this office because it has been the milking cow of people who are corrupt in government. Ever since I really questioned the existence of this office. It’s nothing but depository of money and for corruption,” he said.
“Walang ibang purpose ‘yan. And I agree with the others and the senators that it is time to abolish it and return that function to the Department of Public Works and Highways,” he added.
Like Duterte, the Senate also wants the graft-ridden Road Board abolished.
Duterte said he is siding with the Senate and its interpretation of the law. He said that there must have been a misunderstanding when he talked to Congress about the Road Board.
“Early on sinabi ko na sa kanila ayoko talaga ‘yan. But you know, politics and the expediency of everything, nandiyan pa ‘yan hanggang ngayon,” he said.
“And I had a talk with House Speaker Gloria Arroyo and apparently, there was a misunderstanding because all along I really wanted to abolish the Road Tax and Andaya says now that I was one of those who said it should be maintained. No. Nagkamali sila doon.”
House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. had earlier said that that the President was one of those who wished to maintain the Road Board.
Andaya’s declaration was refuted by presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo and Budget Secretary Ben Diokno. Both have said that Duterte really wants the Road Board to go.
Duterte said that the House of Representatives should decide to abolish the body or else he will be forced to side with the Senate. However, Duterte said this would create another constitutional issue which he would prefer to avoid. (Argyll Geducos)