On January 19, 2009, the Senators was supposed to take up a recommendation to censure Sen. Manny Villar for unethical conduct in connection with the C-5 road extension project. But Sen. Manny Villar did not appear. In fact, there was no session at all because 12 senators, including Villar, failed to show up. Some senators, who were absent without any notice, were Senators Edgardo Angara, Joker Arroyo, Alan Cayetano, Manuel “Lito” Lapid and Villar himself. While the others went to an official business like Senators Pia Cayetano, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Miriam Defensor Santiago, Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Francis Pangilinan, and Panfilo Lacson. All senators who were absent were allies of Sen. Manny Villar, except Sen. Ping Lacson.
A week before that, The Senate Committee of the Whole issued a report saying that Sen. Manny Villar should be criticize for failing to reveal that his real estate companies benefited from the Las Piñas-Parañaque link road and the C-5 road extension projects. The report said the government spent P6.2 billion on the C-5 road extension project, including the realigned P4.28 billion for the extension project, the P1.8 billion spent for the original project but was wasted due to the realignment, and the reportedly overpriced payment of P141 million in right-of-way for Villar's real estate companies. According to the report, there is a substantial evidence, based from documents and testimonies of several witnesses, including former Adelfa senior VP and general manager Anastacio Adriano Jr., showed that properties owned by Villar's real estate companies that were acquired for the road right-of-way projects were overpriced and given zonal valuation for different areas from the areas where they were situated.
Senate President Enrile also said in his interviews that there was a conflict of interest when Sen. Manny Villar failed to divulge that his real estate companies stood to benefited from the road projects. But in an another interview, Sen. Villar explained his absence in the Senate session. According to Sen. Villar, he refused to appear in the Senate because some members of the panel were his opponents in the presidential race. But for me, not appearing to answer the senate verdict on him because panel members opposed to his candidacy is so shallow and foolish.
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In my opinion, Villar's action shows his coward side. I mean if he is not guilty of anything then he should show up and prove these people accusing him wrong. In addition, he could have come up with a better excuse.
ReplyDeleteTrue, it was foolish of Villar to refuse to appear in Senate just because the panel members were his political opponents. His action can seriously affect his chance of winning the presidency. If he is not guilty then he should have defended himself with confidence.
ReplyDeleteI think Villar is really guilty about the accuses thrown to him. He didn't show to the Senate because some of the members of the panel were his opponents?? I don't think so it's his real reason. He is just afraid that the truth will be discovered.
ReplyDeletei agree. not showing up and doesn't have any reasons at all shows, he's hiding something. what more, if he'll win.
ReplyDeleteI think Villar was protecting his candidacy thats why he didn't show up. But anyway, his decision just made him look like a coward; A coward that is not worth voting for. ;P
ReplyDeleteTrue! Villar is showing his coward side. If he didn't do any of those accusations, He should have shown and prove everyone wrong. But I guess, he was just busy on campaigning and making jingles. And this only proves that he is not worthy to be voted.
ReplyDeleteThis might be his mere alibi for the fear of defending his guilt. Though we don't have the right to judge his actions, but the accusations against him are almost true.
ReplyDeleteIf he does have the guts of defending himself, then there's no reason to avoid confronting his accusers.
I agree with you. What's his reason for not coming to the Senate session? He should have come and prove his innocence or maybe he's really guilty. For me, he's really not worth it to be the president of the Philippines with that attitude.
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