September 9, 2008

VILLAR ON THE ALLEGED DOUBLE FUNDING ISSUE

I categorically deny any participation in the alleged erroneous appropriation in the 2008 national budget. I strongly detest the insinuation that I pocketed public money in the construction of the C-5 extension road from the South Luzon Expressway to Sucat in Parañaque City. As a public official, one of my advocacies is the improvement of road systems to improve the traffic situation in Mega Manila to spur economic progress. People will greatly benefit from faster delivery of basic goods and services. I believe this is a worthy endeavor as an efficient and rationalized road network is one of the fundamental requirements in improving commerce.

For one, the Las Pinas-Muntinlupa-Laguna-Cavite link road, more popularly known as Daang Hari, benefited thousands of commuters and ushered in major development in many areas of Southern Luzon.

The 42-km stretch C5 road is certainly not a road to nowhere as this links the Coastal Road to the SLEX. This will greatly benefit the people in the South of Metro Manila, especially the residents of Cavite.

I have long advocated for transparency and accountability in government and I have no intention of destroying my reputation as a public servant and as an entrepreneur with involvement in any financial impropriety.

I have made known my intention to run for President in 2010 and I anticipate that this will open the floodgates to attacks. I intend to pursue this on a platform of good governance and meaningful reforms in our political system, including an honest-to-goodness crusade against corruption. I will not taint my good name at this stage with involvement in financial shenanigans.

I am open to any inquiry that will be initiated in the Senate if only to sustain our efforts to promote transparency in government.