By Filane Mikee Cervantes/PNA
MANILA — The House of Representatives on Tuesday stood firm on its position to keep the Road Board from being abolished.
He made the statement following the impasse between both chambers of Congress over the bill seeking the abolition of the graft-ridden agency.
Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. said the plenary has already withdrawn its support for the bill, abolishing the Road Board with its decision to rescind its approval.
“To rescind, it takes an enrolled bill signed by the Speaker (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo). That is not forthcoming for the plenary has withdrawn support. Speaker cannot sign the enrolled bill. No authority,” Andaya said.
In September, Andaya moved to rescind its third reading approval of House Bill No. 7436, saying the chamber “will no longer pursue its passage.” No objection was raised, and the plenary approved his motion.
Prior to the rescission, the Senate has already adopted the House version of the bill on the same day.
Malacañang said President Rodrigo Duterte will sign the bill into law “as soon as” it is submitted to him.
“Yes. That has been the position (of the President),” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said when asked during a Palace press briefing if Duterte intends to sign the bill once he receives it.
Panelo said the Palace is still against the release of the PHP45-billion road user’s tax or known as the motor vehicle user’s charge (MVUC).
“Ganun pa rin. Di pa nagbabago. (It will remain. It has not changed). We are against it, the release,” he said.
However, Andaya claimed that he had a “private conversation” with Duterte, who categorically said to “resume releases of MVUC.”
The Road Board was created in 2000 through Republic Act 8794 to efficiently manage the MVUC funds.
