Villar Rebuts Winnie Monsod’s article on the C5 Controversy
Posted by Carlo Ople in Current Events, Manny Villar Feb 3rd, 2010 | 34 responses
Senator Manny Villar went to the Senate today to finally defend himself against the relentless pummeling of his political rivals. He gave his speech and then walked out, refusing to debate with Senator Jamby Madrigal. In his speech he categorically denied and rebutted most of the major issues that were slammed against him. I’d like to take this opportunity to match his responses from his speech to the article written by Winnie Monsod which practically condemned Manny Villar. Mareng Winnie’s article has been circulating all over Facebook and the blogosphere so this is a good time to see what Villar said to debunk her claims in her article. In this article, I’ll post Monsod’s points one at a time and match it with Villar’s responses taken from his speech.
Winnie Monsod: Since there was already an ongoing project (the MCTEP) linking C-5 to the Coastal Road, it was totally unnecessary to build a second one.
Manny Villar: The MCTEP was not rendered useless by the construction of the C5 Road Extension Project. These 2 projects are entirely separate and distinct projects. The MCTEP is a toll road, which requires payment of toll fees; while the C5 Road Extension is a public road, which allows free passage to all commuters. In other words, the C5 Road Extension is an alternative route to commuters who cannot afford to pay toll fees. The MCTEP has “limited access”, meaning it has a single entry and exit point; while the C5 Road Extension has “open access”, such that through said road commuters can access various cities and/or municipalities. Clearly, by their very nature, it is not difficult to comprehend that the 2 projects are not mutually exclusive of each other or that the C5 Road Extension is a duplicate of the MCTEP. The construction of the C5 Road Extension did not result in MCTEP becoming unnecessary as to require its being discontinued. The truth is both projects are necessary to decongest the worsening traffic condition in Paranaque, Las Piñas and Cavite. Para itong NLEX at MacArthur. Dahil po merong NLEX ay hindi na kailangan gawin yung MacArthur o dahil may MacArthur ay di na kailangan ang NLEX.
This is pretty self-explanatory. The MCTEP is a tollway road while the C5 Road Extension is for motorists who don’t want to pay for the toll fees. Also this will decongest the insane traffic.
Winnie Monsod: Which means that there was a waste of scarce resources. Instead of using only P2.6 billion of government funds for the first project, the government had to spend an additional P6.9 billion for the second, which practically duplicated the first, except for the additional length which happily for Senator Villar, traversed his properties.
Manny Villar: According to the Committee Report, the Las Piñas-Paranaque Link Road Project and the DPWH C-5 Road Extension Project were made to pass through the properties of my corporations, instead of a straight alignment. It went further to say that the alignment of the C5 Road Extension segment of the Manila Cavite Toll Expressway Project (MCTEP) of the Toll Regulatory Board has to be changed just to accommodate the alignments of the Las Piñas Paranaque Link Road Project and the DPWH C5 Road Extension Project.
These are blatant lies, Mr. President. Kasinungalingan po ito.
I did not direct, or influence, the DPWH to have the C5 Project pass through my properties. The fact is that the conceptualization, alignment, planning and execution of the said project were all done by the DPWH.
If indeed there was any re-alignment of MCTEP, it only involved a “kilometer” of said alignment. Surely, such did not cause the MCTEP to be mothballed. There is no evidence that the supposed re-alignment resulted in MCTEP becoming unnecessary as to require it to be discontinued.
As to the alleged re-alignment of the C5 Road Extension Project, it was only a slight shifting of one bridge (Bridge No. 2) in the upstream direction in order not to create conflict with the proposed alignment of the LRT Line I South Extension Project. This slight shifting of Bridge No. 2 was at the request of LRTA; and did not involve my intervention or even a request from me.
As explained in the letter dated 15 October 2008, of DPWH Regional Director Roberto G. Lala, CESO III, to DPWH Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane, Jr.:
“The segment of C5 Project that is described hereto is from Sucat Road to Pres. Quirino Ave. (also known as Paranaque-Las Piñas Link Road)
The project was not re-routed as it followed the original route or alignment prepared by the DPWH-NCR except for the location of one bridge (Bridge No. 2) whose centerline was slightly shifted in the upstream direction in order not to create conflict with the proposed alignment of LRT Line I South Extension Project. This was made in attention to the request of LRTA to then NCR Regional Director Salvador A. Pleyto, per letter dated Feb. 23, 2001 copy attached marked as Annex I. But even with this slight change, the 30 meters road right-of-way was still maintained. Except for such shifting of the Bridge No. 2, no more modification was made from the original alignment up to its construction phase from Sucat Road to Pres. Quirino Avenue.”
It is noteworthy that at no time during the entire adjudicatory proceedings did the complainant and counsel ever present testimonial or documentary evidence to disprove the truth and veracity of this letter of DPWH Regional Director Lala.
Again, pretty self-explanatory.
Winnie Monsod: Villar benefited tremendously from the second project. Certainly, his companies were paid significantly more per square meter for the road right of way (which were mostly bought from him). But that pales into insignificance compared with the tremendous increase in the values of his real estate holdings in the area—at least 50-52 hectares.
Manny Villar: There is an allegation that as a result of this undue advantage, the properties owned by the Villar companies are grossly overpriced. Allow me to state, for the record: zonal value is determined by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), not by senators, not by me.
There is absolutely no evidence that I ever interfered with the issuance by the BIR of the zonal valuation of the properties owned by my companies.
Sa mismong report, sinabi na ‘There is no evidence to prove the direct participation of Senator Villar in the overpricing of such properties.’
Ito ay Page 83, Paragraph 1, verbatim:
“As to the valuation of the properties of Senator Villar’s corporations that were acquired for roads-right-of-way for the Las Piñas-Parañaque Link Road Project and the DPWH C-5 Road Extension Project, although there is no evidence to prove the direct participation of Senator Villar in the overpricing of such properties, it is fair and safe to assume that Senator Villar knew about the said overpricing as his corporation stood to gain from such transactions with the government and considering the closeness of Senator Villar to Engr. Adriano who was directly involved in these transactions.”
Samakatwid, ang ibig sabihin nito – sa hinaba-haba ng kanilang mga ebidensya, halos 127 yata, ang kanilang basehan lang ay “assumption” o “yung kanilang statement” na “it is fair and safe to assume.”
Moreover, the supposed higher valuation given the Masaito property was duly explained by the same BIR officer who issued the certificates of zonal valuation for it. Former BIR-Parañaque Revenue Officer Carmelita Bacod, whom complainant Senator had subpoenaed and who issued the certification on the zonal valuation of the Masaito lots, not only verified the P30,000.00 zonal valuation for the said lots but also the P4,500.00 per square meter zonal valuation for the other lots along Sucat Road.
She explained that the other lots along Sucat Road are classified as “residential”; hence, they have a zonal valuation of only P4,500.00 per square meter. This is basic in real estate. She went on to explain further that the Masaito lots were classified as “commercial/regular,” hence, they have a zonal valuation of P30,000.00 per square meter. (TSN of 22 September 2009, 12:23pm, pp. 7-8).
The reason why the right of way fees were more expensive for the C5 properties is because most of the lots in Masaito were commercial which means it had a higher zonal valuation compared to the properties in Sucat.
Winnie Monsod: 3. This unnecessary, wasteful project was certainly Villar’s idea. It is specious to argue that it is a DPWH project. As the DPWH feasibility study states (in black and white), both the CX-5 and the LPPLP were conceived and initially funded by Villar.
Manny Villar: For the record, Mr. President, the C5 Road Project is not just my own personal project though it is one I am proud to be associated with – all of these controversies notwithstanding. This is a project of the government implemented through the Department of Public Works and Highways. Renamed the President Carlos P. Garcia Avenue, the C5 Road was conceptualized as early as 1946, and runs from Manila Bay-Malolos-Caloocan-Quezon City-Taguig/Pateros-Paranaque-Las Piñas-Cavite. It is a 51-kilometer long thoroughfare starting from Manila Bay, and goes full circle to end likewise in Manila Bay.
Of the entire stretch, 32.5 kilometers are fully developed, covering Malabon and Caloocan going all the way to Quezon City-Taguig/Pateros-Paranaque-Las Piñas. As I am an ardent supporter of development, I have been pushing for the completion of the project.
Sources: Is Manny Villar Blameless? and Privilege Speech of Sen. Manny Villar
And there you go. I applaud Senator Manny Villar for defending himself in the Senate. Personally, I would have preferred he stayed and debate with Madrigal and the others since he clearly has a good defense. It will be very interesting to see what Mareng Winnie and the rest of the Presidentiables will say about this in the coming days. I’ll definitely be monitoring it.
Disclosure from the Author: My auntie is running under the Nacionalista Party for the Senate which is headed by Senator Manny Villar. As of today I am a supporter of Senator Villar. However this does not mean I will blindly defend him. In fact I’d welcome how Winnie Monsod and the other candidates will debunk Villar’s defense.
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i will trust villar on his words. however, i think the ultimate issue here is the conflict of interest between the project and villar. knowing that the path of the highway would cross his properties, he should have, in good faith, delegated other officials to support this. he should have removed his association from this project. it’s to remove and bias or influence or false image to this.
conflict of interest. segregation of duties. because none of those were considered, it is but natural to speculate on villar’s actions and motivation behind supporting this project.
Before noy joined the presidential race, the 2 people on my short list were villar and gordon. If he had been able to decisively address the charges against him, I would probably have made villar my 1st choice. Again the elections are still 3 months away. I hope he can clear this issue up before then.
It all boils down to delicadeza,something that i do not see with how Villar has treated this entire issue. As people have said so many times in the past, “kung wala kang tinatago,bakit ayaw mong humarap sa inmbestigasyon sa senado?”
I recall a part of the speech where he also addressed the conflict of interest issue. He claimed that one of his companies approached the DOJ to double-check whether the project would violate any conflict-of-interest laws and a judge issued a document saying that it wouldn’t. I’m not a lawyer myself but I expect that in the coming days pundits will probably comment on this as well.
i understand villar’s defense….and it is duly noted that enrile is also running for reelection…..as stated in the 48 laws of power, to catch attention attack the biggest target…..what i could not quite understand is the insistent demand for public officials to divest themselves of their assets when in power…..do we all want poor politicians? does being poor mean being honest?…..what we need is something akin to an anti-trust law for politicians where their actions are clearly defined as to whether illegal or not in relation to their businesses….not this present system of assumptions leading to investigation leading to conviction….sa tagalog..ano-ano ba ang puwede gawin ng politiko para sa negosyo niya na hindi nakapanlalamang sa iba at kapwa niya negosyante…..at ano-ano ang bawal….yun ang dapat lagyan ng laman…..
@Gian: MV did go to the Senate and he did defend himself several times already. What’s questionable here is the manner this entire thing is being conducted. Ethics complaints are usually done in private but for some reason this one is being done publicly.
All the ones who are against Villar in the complaint are his opponents for the 2010 elections. Of course they will not yield because it is in their best interest to keep on banging MV.
Personally though I’d really love to see a debate between MV and Jamby, hehe.
@Rowie: Yep, I missed that. I’ll try to look for it in the transcript.
@ira: Correct.
@Thanks for sharing I agree with you… definitely its the conflict of interest… Manny Villar knew that this project will benefit his Companies… the question is why did he push this project and even inserted additional 200 million on our budget?…I just want to share with you these slide… http://www.scribd.com/doc/25761977/Villar-Ethics-Presentation
Actually this is not the first issue Mr. Villar name was dragged on this kind of mess you can check Joker Arroyo privilege speech here…. http://philippinecommentary.blogspot.com/2010/01/privilege-speech-vs-villars-alleged.html it really does make sense if Mr. Villar will face all the issues against him. Kung hindi ka guilty then the truth will set you free…
wow. this is a very positive development. i have to admit: i am just rooting for villar because i really hate noynoy, and gibo is not winnable. it has something to do with the problem of our electoral system. sana run-off type na lang ang meron tayo.
anyway, villar’s defense looks very concrete. i just hope a more meaningful debate can be done to finish this controversy once and for all.
Villar, mandurugas talaga. Hindi pa presidente ay nandadaya at nagsisimula ng magnakaw sa bayan. Like what Winnie Monsod said “the average price to pay for he right of way for the C5 project was paid for NON-VILLAR property was only P4,222 per sq.meter and the poperties that is belong to Manny Villar was paid P11,519.80 per square meter. The difference of P7,297.80 per sq. meter. This is how much he profited. Mga kababayan you do the math. Villar made billions of pesos on thi project. Would you still vote for Villar? You and the the whole country just got robbed by Villar of the amount P7,297.80 if you own a porion of the land. MAGNANAKAW TALAGA…MAGNANAKAW TALAGA….si “C5 at Tiaga” Villar’s new campaign slogan.
This is the link that explained kung papno NAGNAKAW si MANNY VILLAR SA BAYAN. “C5 at TIAGA” OR “C5 AT MAGNANAKAW”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUQDt-sXdlk
@Mark: Have you read the article? or a better question would be… DID YOU UNDERSTAND THE ARTICLE?
Read Winnie Monsod’s latest article about this.
Naniniwala ako na may ginawa si Villar na labag sa batas. Lahat ng sinabi ni Villar ay puro one-sided. Pabor lahat sa kanya ganon din ang nasa web-site niya.
Bakit takot siyang tanungin ng mga senador kung wala siyang tinatago? Kung wala kang kasalanan wala kang dapat ikatakot kahit ano pa ibato nila sayo.
Sa kaso ni Villar, naniniwala akong di niya kayang ipagtanggol ang sarili niya kaya takot siyang humarap sa investigation.
Ang galing niya mag imbestiga dati tungkol kay GMA ngayon eh, bahag pala ang buntot niya pag siya ang iimbestigahan.
Villar’s defense is NO DEFENSE
Manny Villar explains a way but has not justified himself.
There are 2 projects, one for public. The other for private. What?! No wonder the MCTEP project did not push through – It is doomed as, obviously, people would prefer the FREE road.
All I can say after weighing the evidence is that…
Winnie Monsod is a highly respected Economist and Journalist. An Excellent One, that is.
Manny Villar is a famous Billionaire politician.
Well, between Noynoy and Villar.
Noynoy may not possess an arresting smile as MV
Noynoy may not be as rich as MV…
Noynoy may not have countless commercials using children and comedians to shout praises to his name…
The fact is…
While everything (so far) said against Noynoy (SCTEX, Hacienda Luisita) were OBVIOUSLY FABRICATED, there is in fact documentary evidence against Villar enough to CONVICT him of unethical conduct and perhaps even PLUNDER.
An examination of all the documentary (and not hearsay) evidences both for and against would tip the scale OVERWHELMINGLY against MV.
Well, he may fool people during debates etc… But in a court of Law, you are required to show documented, palpable evidence.
Right now, he really needs a good liar, I mean, lawyer…
Forgive me for using boxing terms…
But I think rounds 1 to 4 belongs to Winnie Monsod.
With Villar KO’ed in the fourth round. hehehe
Refuting Manny’s defenders
By Solita Collas-Monsod
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:33:00 02/05/2010
Filed Under: Elections, Graft & Corruption, Manny Villar
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IN RESPONSE TO LAST WEEK’S COLUMN where I presented some incontrovertible facts regarding the ethics case against Sen. Manny Villar, I received an e-mail from one Danilo Suarez of Quezon City. He wrote: “Read your column re your take on C5 and Sen. Villar’s ‘involvement.’ In the interest of fairness, I exhort you, as a supporter of Sen. Villar, to also check his official website and his side on the matter. I trust you would put this out as you search for the truth …. Looking forward to reading about it in your column.”
My reply: “Dear Mr. Suarez, If there is anything erroneous in any of the statements of fact that were published in my column, please feel free to point them out, together with the documents you have that will allow me to verify that they are indeed erroneous. As you may have noticed, the A’s in my column can be verified by documents and uncontroverted statements from official sources, which I was very careful to cite, precisely so that readers like you can check them. I am certainly glad that Mr. Villar has aired his side on his website. That is his choice. It is mine to look at the government documents and the sworn testimony that are part of the Senate record. I look forward to Mr. Villar’s defending himself in a venue that allows for clarificatory questions and refutations. That is, after all, part and parcel of transparency and accountability that are so necessary for good governance. Regards.”
The Inquirer also forwarded me an e-mail from Ma. Nalen Rosero-Galang, who identifies herself as legal counsel for Senator Villar. I also received a paper titled “C-5 sound and fury: Is Monsod painting the full picture? Student rebukes professor” by Ricardo G. Barcelona of Spain, who identifies himself firstly as “a former student of Prof. Monsod,” before going on to reciting the rest of his impressive curriculum vitae. I am honored that he considers his being my former student (albeit a rebuking one) more important than the rest of his professional achievements.
For the most part, both Galang and Barcelona do not contest the facts presented in last week’s column. An exception is when Galang asserts that “There is no evidence whatsoever that the alignment of the C5 Road Extension was determined by Senator Villar, or that its alignment was changed in order that it should pass through the real estate properties of Senator Villar’s companies.” Excuse me, Ms Galang: May I remind you that per the Department of Public Works and Highways, Senator Villar conceptualized and initially funded both the CX-5 and the Las Piñas-Parañaque Link Road project. That is in black and white in the DPWH project feasibility studies.
Both do contest what I considered a reasonable conclusion: that since there was already an ongoing (MCTEP) linking C-5 to the Coastal Road, it was unnecessary (and therefore wasteful) to build a second one. Galang argues that both were necessary, given the “worsening traffic condition (sic) in Parañaque, Las Piñas and Cavite.” Barcelona argues that it was not a case of wastefulness, but rather of creating choices for motorists.
To Ms Galang: where in urban Philippines are traffic conditions not worsening? To Mr. Barcelona: MCTEP was conceived precisely to create choices for motorists. There already exists a current road network, toll-free, that will allow motorists to move from SLEX to the Coastal Road. MCTEP would give them the choice of going from point A to Point B more quickly—as long as they are willing to pay for the convenience. Giving motorists a third choice, in the context of competing demands on scarce resources, cannot be—never mind, should not be—defended. Giving motorists a third choice, while at the same time ensuring that the third-choice road passes through Villar-owned properties (I notice neither Galang nor Barcelona refuted the 50-52 hectare area involved), is even less defensible.
Then there is the matter of zonal valuation. Barcelona is correct to point out a seemingly inconsistent set of estimates: In my column, I stated (not suggested—it is a matter of arithmetic), that the Villar lots were acquired at an average price of P7,168/sq m while non-Villar properties went for P1,880/sq m. In my analysis for News on Q, which was earlier taped, the figures I gave were P11,520 and P2,922 respectively (not the P11,000 and P4,500 that Barcelona cites. Tsk.). Inconsistent? No. The P11,520 figure refers only to the properties that are directly Villar-owned. The P7,168 figure refers to direct properties and those in joint-venture with Villar companies. Please note that I used the lower figures in my column.
To Barcelona: Do not put words in my mouth. I was not suggesting that capital gains linked to proximity to public works should accrue to government. And there is a world of difference between the Hacienda Luisita issue and the Villar properties issue: (1) Noynoy Aquino probably owns less than 2 percent of Luisita, Villar owns 100 percent of his properties; and (2) Villar conceived and initially funded CX-5/LPPLP; Aquino had zilch to do with SCTEX. Tsk.
Moral of the story: Do not rebuke your teacher using insinuations and without full knowledge of the facts. My fault is that I didn’t teach him any better.
Finally, I cannot resist quoting Joker Arroyo, circa 1998: “So in the case of Speaker Villar, it is simple. If he wants to go/continue in business and deal with government financial institutions, he can do so but he cannot also be a congressman. If he wants to be a congressman, then he must not be in business which deals with the government. We have to pay a price.” Amen.
I agree about the conflict of interest. MV knew about the original C5 project dating back to 1946, that’s why he bought properties along it. When he came to politics, he pushed for the completion of the project knowing he would benefit from it, not because he pushes for “development”. I was initially for MV but not anymore after this. I am not for Noynoy also.
Maybe Gordon is a better candidate, but he’s far behind in the survey.
@Carlo,
I appreciate your disclosure.
In the spirit of fairness, I would like a further discussion from you regarding Winnie Monsod’s follow-up on her article presented above. The link is here:
Refuting Manny’s defenders
Thank you.
carlo, villar said:
“I did not direct, or influence, the DPWH to have the C5 Project pass through my properties. The fact is that the conceptualization, alignment, planning and execution of the said project were all done by the DPWH.”
but in monsod’s column, she writes:
““As the DPWH feasibility study states (in black and white), both the CX-5 and the LPPLP were conceived and initially funded by Villar.””
these statements cannot be true at the same time.
which is true?
Hi guys! Thanks for bringing up Winnie Monsod’s response. Currently reading it and will make a follow-up post soon.
From a BOT project to a government-funded project…
Joe Taruc interviews Manny Villar:
Is he being consistent on his stand re: BOT when it comes to the C5 Extension???
—–
What is BOT Scheme and What Did We Learn from the NBN Deal and the C-5 Project Scandal?
C5 Extension: from a BOT project to a government-funded project…
Joe Taruc interviews Manny Villar:
“Taruc: Bukod po dito, meron pa tayong tinatawag na BOT Law at maaari namang matamo ang naturang proyekto nang hindi gagastos ng kahit isang kusing ang gobyerno, hindi ho ba?
Villar: Oo, meron tayong ganyan. Ang problema diyan, hindi sila makakagawa masyado.
Taruc: Walang kikita?
Villar: Walang kikita.”
Is he being consistent on his stand re: BOT???
—–
What is BOT Scheme and What Did We Learn from the NBN Deal and the C-5 Project Scandal?
all i can say – “Hilaw yung paliwanag ni Villar, yes, he defended his part or participation on the matter, pero bitin pa rin”.
Whether the newly released Senate report on the C-5 road controversy was fraught with politics or a mere gimmick to throw mud at the controversial Senator Manny Villar, the fact is, this institution has rules. As a member of this institution, Villar has the responsibility of complying faithfully with all its rules.
And, as the rules say, an incumbent Senator of the land should not involve himself with government projects. That’s in the Constitution. That’s the rule. That’s the law.
If, as Villar alleges, the report was fraught with political partisanship, and it was “stage managed” by the majority, it is still incumbent upon him and his allies to read and debate the report on the floor. That is what I call democracy.
That is the beauty of democracy, an accused is allowed his day in court. The Senate has given Villar all the time in the world to go and plead his case before his colleagues. If, as a matter of right, one chose not to answer these charges and just allowed the chamber to draft a report, it is still incumbent upon the accused to respect the rules.
A person who took an oath of office has the responsibility, nay, the DUTY of respecting the institution which took him in. Villar is under the jurisdiction of the Senate. If he charges that his colleagues has conspired against him, then, let that be ON RECORD before the chamber, and not in the public sphere.
Villar has accused the Senate, the very institution which cuddled him for so many years, of being partial or biased in favor of his political enemies. Reason dictates that, as the accused, Villar should have been vigilant and in fact, be in the lead in defending himself before the chamber, not outside of it.
That is the beauty of democracy, an accused is allowed his day in court. The Senate has given Villar all the time in the world to go and plead his case before his colleagues. If, as a matter of right, one chose not to answer these charges and allowed the Institution to make its own conclusion, that’s a right unassailable.
The reason why Villar resorts to just TV interviews is very simple–he cannot be made accountable for his remarks. Villar must be made to realize that his actions are simply unparliamentary and is beneath his stature as a senator of the land. He is making a mockery out of the only pillar of democracy in this country.
And this issue is beyond Villar nor of politics. This is all about the Senate, as an institution, acting with full powers given to it by the People.
This is about a chamber, given full powers, to act according to its rules and according to the very laws which animate this Nation.
This is about leadership, responsible, accountable and principled. This is about leaders who respect the laws and the mandate given to them by the People.
This is about enforcement of laws, of rules drafted after hours and hours of debate and deliberations, and of Reason.
And this is about the strength of convictions and of respect to the workings of democracy. So what if political partisanship plays a big part in the workings of the Senate? Villar knew that the very moment he decided to cast his lot in politics. Since his time as a Congressman, Villar played politics like an expert tactician. It was no secret that he used his enormous resources just to be Speaker of the House.
What would happen to all of us if we allow a billionaire Senator and his allies to continue mocking our laws? What kind of leadership are we promoting here? What are we saying to the next generation? That it is okey for someone as wealthy and as influential as a Villar to just taunt and make a mockery of all of us? That it is okey for one to use his Office and get 6.2 billion pesos?
We cannot but disrespect a rogue Senate.
To those who says Villar has a good Defense… your just plain die hard… his defense is plain and simple bull*&^%$#@!…
everybody can understand parallel, toll fee etc… kung ikaw ung contractor sa palagay mo kung alam mong maggagawa si money villar ng parallel road dun, mag bi bid ka? for what reason para ma lugi? — simple logic…
How is Villar’s rebuttal even a rebuttal? I am appalled that you would “applaud” him for his inability to defend his actions. He doesn’t even meet Winnie Monsod’s points. In this, for example: Winnie says “Villar benefited tremendously from the second project. Certainly, his companies were paid significantly more per square meter for the road right of way (which were mostly bought from him). But that pales into insignificance compared with the tremendous increase in the values of his real estate holdings in the area—at least 50-52 hectares.”
Villar’s reply?
“There is an allegation that as a result of this undue advantage, the properties owned by the Villar companies are grossly overpriced. Allow me to state, for the record: zonal value is determined by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), not by senators, not by me.
There is absolutely no evidence that I ever interfered with the issuance by the BIR of the zonal valuation of the properties owned by my companies.”
Winnie didn’t say that he made the BIR fiddle around with the value of his property. She was saying that he BENEFITED from the project, given the high value of his property there, and the fact that the C-5 Road Extension snakes directly through his real estate kingdom. How is Villar’s response a rebuttal? He says, “Uy, wala akong kinalaman sa halaga ng lupa ko. BIR may kagagawan niyan.” But once again, that’s NOT what Winnie’s accusing him of. She’s saying that Villar’s decision to create a route that conveniently runs through his subdivisions directly benefits him, because that raises land value and results in bigger revenues for him!
Your blog post disappoints me. It’s obvious that you’ve got quite a readership here, and your assessment of Villar’s so-called rebuttal is very careless. You haven’t even responded to the folks who submitted comments and contested your view.
As someone who lived in Las Piñas City for more than 10 years, I can say that former Congressman, now Senator Manny Villar and Mayor Nene Aguilar served the city well… Until I’ve learned about this controversy.
My Dad and I have been jogging for quite a while in this road extension. For a long while, it was unpassable by any 4 or more-wheeled vehicle. Also, the land occupied by the Golden Haven Memorial Park (also owned by Villar if I’m correct) has been lessened just for this C5 extension project.
Even now, motorcycles or pedestrians don’t dare pass through this road because of the thieves. Also, even if SM Sucat is just on the other end of the road, I still had to ride a jeepney going to Kabihasnan and Sucat because there hasn’t been any public transportation available for riding there. You can also same the say for Daang Hari — there isn’t any much public transportation you can see there.
Ngayon, passable na yung daan di ba? Kaso nung napuntahan ko yun, nakita kong tinitibag na yung lupa. Mukhang tama yung hinala ko — gagawan yun ng subdivision nya, or ng business ng mga kasosyo nya.
On the other hand, bakit ngayon lang nila linitaw yung issue? Ang tagal nang ginawa tong daan na to eh. Parang halatang black propaganda lang yan against him; isa na kasi sya sa mga nangunguna sa survey eh. Parang ang panget lang ng timing nila.
Have you seen the map where the MCTEP and the Villar C5 extension project passes thru? The MCTEP which is a build and operate and transfer (no expenses from the government) has already gotten approval of the plan where it passes thru. Now the C5 project that Villar pushed thru and the government paid for more than Php6B passed thru the same line where the MCTEP will pass thru. Now if the map that winnie monsod is correct, do you think the investors that will finance the project will still continue the project? Besides the government has already paid for the right of way for the MCTEP? Malabo parin sa akin ang sagot niya sa mga paratang ni Winnie Monsod. Hindi naman para sa mahihirap ang pinagkagastusan… para naman sa mga may sasakyan yan at para sa mga mayayaman na bibili sa kanyang mga subdivision. Sino sinong mahihirap ang natulungan dito. Tapos ipapangalandakan sa kampanya na para siya sa mahihirap. Lahat naman na project niya ngayon e para sa mga mayayaman. Wala naman siyang project na para lang sa mahihirap. Tumutulong siya sa mga may pangangailangan pero temporary relief lang… If you have Php200Billion wealth hanggang ngayon bakit ilan lang ang iyong natulungan. Ilan na ang nabigyan mo ng libreng pabahay… ilan na ang natulungan mong company para hindi magsara at para di mawalan ng trabaho ang mga tao.
Winnie Monsod is an economist, not a lawyer so i understand. I would like to depend Villar for not allowing a rebuttal?
Why? Gago ba sya sa tingin nyo…? Hindi…Bakit? Kasi there is no use explaining sa mga taong may sarili ng opinion.. They made up there mind before it. Walng saysay na paliwanagan lang yan…
One thing ” YOu cannot get a fair trial especially if your accusers are also your judge”
I wouldn’t vote for Villar. Hindi pa presidente, marami na kagad iskandalo. And the way he handled it, very “mayabang” at parang may tinatago since he didn’t go to debate but issued a one-way statement like a dictator.
I’ll go for Noynoy. Tapat na gobyerno, bago ang lahat.
Mali ka Abraham Sampalocia – you are missing the whole point! Manny Villar is a lying, conniving businessman out to make a profit from anything he gets involved in including the presidency! Kung kaya ka niyang ibenta for a profit – I’m sure he wouldn’t hesitate! That is the whole purpose of his existence – MONEY! Hindi mo ba alam na the only reason he married Cynthia Aguilar was to get leverage for his business endeavors? (I have been a resident of Las Pinas since 1991.)
I’m tired of hearing about technicalities of defense! A presidential candidate must be supported on the basis of ethics and morals! Ang ginawa ni Manny ay unethical at immoral.
Carlo Ople – You should stop thinking like a marketing man and start thinking like a human being. Alam mo ba ang pagkakaiba ng tama sa mali? Ito ba ang basehan ng moralidad ng kasalukuyang lipunan natin? Kung lusot sa batas o hindi? Ang buhay ng tao ay hindi base sa mga batas na ginawa mg tao kung di dapat base sa masmataas na kapangyarihan na nagbigay ng buhay sa atin.
Do I sound ‘preachy’ to you? I can’t help it because as an OFW and a mother of five children – I try to instill good moral values on my children because it is only these values that will truly keep us on the narrow path to goodness. Ito ang pinakamalaking suliranin ng bayang Pilipino – not poverty – but the erosion of our moral values. Once we can embrace what is right and good and turn our back on lies evidenced by the graft and corruption of our government and society then we can start to work on our economy and an equitable distribution of wealth for the populace.
Mareng Winnie Monsod has the integrity to say it all! Manny Villar doesn’t have it in anyway! OPEN UP YOUR EYES PINOY! BE INFORMED! It’s true! Out of delikadeza, Manny Villar in the first place should have detached himself from his businesses before seeking for public office in which he has been involved since 1992! PLEASE READ JOKER ARROYO’s speech way back 1998:
http://www.malayanghalalan.com/2010/01/26/joker-arroyo-raises-issue-of-accountability-of-public-officers-against-manny-villar/
BE INFORMED!
I wouldn’t mind supporting villar despite the issues being thrown to him. First, its political to the nth power. Enrile! If I remember it correctly, as i am not like the blind followers of the blind and worthless leader like noynoy, Enrile is the man behind the martial. He even faked his own assasination? why should I believe him? Enrile the reelectionist? He wants to ride the tide and as always, reinvent himself and be forever relevant to our time, after all, the devil wears prada? It’s very fashionable.
Who is Jamby? Would you even trust a person whom even her own aunt decided not to consider in her own last will and testament. That is outright evidence what kind of character she possess.
And Noynoy? 3 terms as congressman, 1 term as senator for what?
You people, as always, never learned your history. You had no knowledge beyond the information of our mass media who are either biased and partisan but also, a media that is for sale.
If I were to comment on Villar? I would comment first reading the history. After all, you can google it.
Dont trust the character like enrile, jamby and even erap. Do your own research.
No one throws a stone to a tree without a fruit. Its futile and useless. In that case, Villar is a fruit bearing tree.
Honestly, you would rather vote for Noynoy? How fast you people forget… have you forgotten about the Hacienda Luisita massacre? the oh-so-great cojuanco family triggered the murder of workers and children. the only reason noynoy is bathing in glory is because he is the son of ninoy and cory who by the way is not that much of a president. during cory’s time she passed CARP which states that hacienderos were onnly allowed to have a maximum of a particular no. of area then give the others to the farmers… pero anung ginawa nya? sa iba ipapatupad nya pero sa sarili niyang pamiliya hindi? dont you think thats a lil unfair? and speaking of property the money they used to buy the hacienda came from the Gov’t and a loan and they had an agreement that after ten years the land would be given to small farmers pero d nila ginawa… what can noynoy do for this country? at anu ang nagawa nya para sa bansa? you people should do your research… and honestly napilit lng si noynoy tumakbo… and personally i dont think he’s competent enough… this election is not a joke, the future of this country lies on the person who will lead it kaya choose wisely, hnd porke ung sikat un na iboboto… kung hindi si manny villar ang mananalo sana si Gordon nalang… kasi sila lang talaga ang may ginawa para sa ikabubuti ng bansa at ng mga tao nito… read this http://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/senpres/villar.asp its about noynoy… campare it dun sa kay villar… would you rather elect a passive president? that does nothing? or someone who really does something despite controversies?