Senate inquiry on double entry issue, politically motivated--Enrile

MANILA, Sept.11 (PNA) -- Senate Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan and Senator Juan Ponce Enrile on Wednesday said that the proposed investigation on the alleged double entry of a road project in the 2008 national budget by the Senate Committee of the Whole is for political purposes among presidentiables in 2010.

According to Sen. Enrile, instead of wasting their time in conducting investigation of the said double entry for the funding of the C-5 road extension project under the 2008 national budget, they better file case in court if they have the evidence.

Enrile added, he is the chairman of the senate committee on finance who handles the budget deliberations on the 2008 national budget.

”It is my responsibility as chairman of the finance committee. I am willing to face them in the court room. They are welcome to investigate me,” the lawmaker also said.

Senators Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda, Richard Gordon and Mar Roxas, who are all presidentiables signed the resolution seeking an investigation of the alleged double entry for funding P200 million the C-5 road extension project.

Enrile also reiterated, there is no reason to pursue any investigation since no damage had been done and no funds was released for the said 2nd entry for the C-5 road extension road project.

”I think this is a drama among presidential candidates. It is very obvious, there’s no damage, there is no intent to defraud the government,” the senate finance chair explained.

Enrile was also surprised when Senate President Manuel Villar Jr.’s name was dragged in the controversy when the supposed congressional insertion was done by a congressman.

”To me, I presume it was human error. There was no malicious intention to defraud the government,” Enrile added.

Sen. Pangilinan believes that the proposed investigation on the said issue is more of politically motivated.

Pangilinan said, it is obvious that presidential ambitions for 2010 could be one of many reason behind the proposed senate inquiry.