Kiko calls for impartial investigation on C-5 'Scandal'

Senate Majority Leader and Independent senator Kiko Pangilinan today called for an impartial senate probe on the anomalous P200 million entry into the national budget for a road that already had funding.

Fully aware of the divisiveness brought on by this issue, the Senator strongly recommended that all those with vested interests, including Senate President Villar and other presidentiables, inhibit themselves from the case.

"Magsalita ang may sasabihin. Pero siguraduhin lang sana nila na mapapanindigan nila ang mga akusasyong ipupukol nila sa isa't-isa. Pero kung hindi, nakikiusap ako na sana, huwag naman nating gamitin ang exposes na tulad nito para magpabango sa publiko. Kailangan ng taong bayan ng sagot sa mga tanong, hindi ng pamumulitika. Tama na ang bangayan sa Senado. Imbestigahan na ang dapat imbestigahan. Tamaan na ang dapat tamaan. There should be no sacred cows. Those throwing accusations should also be open to letting the investigation take its natural course."

Kiko also said the Senate should look into Sen. Panfilo Lacson's allegations and "determine whether or not in fact his assertions are with basis or if there is a valid explanation to the alleged double entries. Personally, I would like to hear from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) insiders and perhaps former DBM secretaries like Emy Boncodin or Ben Diokno and maybe even budget experts from UP to secure an impartial, non partisan analysis. If Senator Lacson's allegations are based on documents, then we should be able to analyze these and come up with our findings," concluded Kiko.