(Eagle News) — Malacañang welcomed the resolution of Senator Leila De Lima to investigate two of the “Build, Build, Build” projects of the Duterte administration.
De Lima had earlier alleged that some 180,000 families would be homeless if the administration will push through with the construction of the P23 billion North Luzon Expressway—South Luzon Expressway (NLEX-SLEX) Connector Road Project, and the P171 billion North-South Commuter Railway Project.
De Lima filed the Senate Resolution 927 seeking a Senate probe into the construction of the said projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Malacañang is confident that the agencies of the government in charge of the said projects will attend the hearings to be conducted on the matter if ever the Senate decides to investigate this.
He said that feasibility studies were conducted before the projects were started and that the general impact to the economy and the living conditions of the residents were included in the studies.
“Hence, we are certain that agencies of the government involved have taken the concerns raised in consideration and will continue to coordinate and work hand in hand to protect each and every interest subject of these concerns,” Panelo said.
The official then hoped that the inquiry being sought by De Lima was not for political grandstanding as the election season has arrived.
“We only hope that this inquiry initiated by the lady senator is truly in aid of legislation and not for political grandstanding purposes only, as she has the habit of doing,” Panelo said.
“Election season has arrived and with the President’s ratings remaining high, the political opposition’s recourse is to score political brownie points by foisting demolition and relocation, both gut issues on the part of the urban poor, to attack the President,” he added.