(Eagle News) – President Rodrigo Duterte confirmed that he had talked with House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo where he had discussed his firm stand to abolish the controversial graft-ridden “Road Board” which he described as a “milking cow” for corrupt politicians.
Duterte also pointed out that House Majority Floor Leader Rolando Andaya had seemed to misunderstand before his position on the Road Board when he claimed the President did not want the Road Board to be abolished.
“I had a talk with president 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 that it should be maintained. No, nagkamali sila doon,” the President recently said.
“My feelings about that board is — was at the strongest against it being there. Kasi walang ginawa ‘yan kung hindi ma-corrupt. And I see now that it’s about time na buwagin nila ‘yan because if not and if I side, which I am on the side of the Senate, it would create another constitutional issue and maybe another crisis,” he said.
Duterte said that he wants the function of the Road Board to be returned to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The President cited the “ruckus” created at the House of Representatives because of the Arroyo House leadership’s change of heart regarding the Road Board. Arroyo had previous reversed the House leadership’s vote under former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez to abolish the Road Board.
Andaya and House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez had even hit Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno for pushing to have the Road Board abolished.
The Senate, on the other hand, under Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, had insisted on the transmittal of the resolution for the abolition of the Road Board even without Arroyo’s signature.
“You know there’s a little bit of a ruckus there in Congress regarding the abolition or the continuance of the road user’s tax — board. I believe that the Senate has decided the right thing and has stated that the road tax — board has been dismantled,” the President said on Friday.
“Ever since I assumed office, I’ve always been wary about this office because it has been the milking cow of people who are corrupt in government. Ever since I’ve really questioned the existence of this office. It’s nothing but a depository of money meant for corruption. Walang ibang purpose ‘yan,” he added.
On Saturday, Andaya said that the House will finally heed the President’s call to have the Road Board abolished.
President Duterte had also reminded those who are involved in prioritizing the public’s interests.
“Please, if it’s good for the people, it’s good for the trust reposited on the people by government employees… better just go ahead and abolish it,” he said.