NORTH RAIL CONTROVERSY: Senate President Franklin M. Drilon questions North Rail Corporation President Jose Cortes (right) and Metro Rail Transit Corporation (MRTC) Assistant Secretary Robert Lastimoso (2nd from right) during the deliberation of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) proposed budget for 2006 Tuesday afternoon. Cortes appeared for the first time before the Senate to explain the controversial North Rail transit project. With the Senate President are Senators Serge Osmea and Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr. (Photo by: Albert Calvelo, SENATE-PRIB)