VOL. XXXIII NO. 236 .WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2019.

6 SECTIONS,48 P

It's official: Rody abolishes Road Board

President Duterte has ment to remit collections year's P3.757-trillion budget. of the Bangko Sentral ng
signed into law a measure from the motor vehide users' It reportedly sparked a quar- Pilipinas, has denied any '
abolishing the Road Board charge to the National T.rea- rel between then budget sec- wrongdoing.
rhat he once described as a sury was signed into law on retary Benjamin Diokno and Former speaker Panta-
"milking cow" of corrupt March 8. some lawmakers who ac- leon Alvarez had claimed
officials- The proposal to abolish cused him of inserting some that the rift had Something
Republic Act No. 11239 the Road Board was one of P75 billion in the budget to do with the P45-billion
which dismantled the board the contentious issues that withorit Duterte's approval. road user's tax controlled
and required the govern- delayed the passage of this Diokno, now the govemor . Turn to Page 16

It's offici&l,,o'',"n", h#{int,ii:::i{a$j

ties and equipment and al-
by the Road Board, He had without reducing their salaries leged failure to comply with
accused the allies of Speaker and benefits. Employees who regulations that resulted in
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of will not be absorbed will re- irregular expenditures.
seeking to control the collec- ceive separation benefits. Under the new law, the
tion from the road user's tax. Proceeds of the motor ve- public works department
Alvarez, ousted as speaker hicle users' charge shall be will assume all obligations
by Arroyo's allies last year, remitted to the National Trea- and liabilities of the Road
had also claimed that Road sury under a special account Board. The board's records,
Board officials were conniv- in the General Fund to be property, assets, equip-
ing with some lawmakers in earmarked solely for the con- ment and funds' will also
_collecting comqisglo.ng from structiorL upgrading, repair be transfeg€d to the deparF.
contractoas. and rehabilitation of roads, ment.
At the height of the con- bridges and road drainage A Congressional Over-
troversy, then House major- to be included in the annual sight committee that will
ity leader Ronaldo Andaya, national budget. monitor the implementa-
Jri claimed that Duterte had The alleged questionable tion of the law imposing the
agreed to retain the Road use of motor vehicle users' motor vehicle user's charge
Board. The President denied gharge was one oi the issues will be created. The com-
this and insjsted the corrup- raised by lawmakers in push- mittee will be composed of
tion-prone body should be ing for the abolition of the five members each from the
abolished. Road Board. House of Representatives
Under the new law, the The Commission on Audit and the Senate. One member
public works department shall has also raised sevetal issues from each chamber should
absorb the employees of the on the board's operations, be from the minority.
.Board... inpluding itssupposed failure ' . ... . - Alerierllmre-ro"
-secretariat of .the .Road
.

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