Senator Villar's Conflict of Interest

Ariel Radovan,a Facebook friend made a comment about your note "Senator Manny Villar got my vote today". He wrote thus:

"..you are not asking a question because you have already concluded on the facts... since you are referring to the C5 project kindly be reminded that the Senate Committee on Finance approved and past the budget for that project. there was no finding by the same comm of any irregularity neither was there any anomaly found by the Comm until the national budget was approved. With reference to your question about the properties, Villar did not hide the fact that he was engaged in the real estate business, it was his bread and butter even before he ventured into politics. The properties you mentioned was bought even before the project was considered.
That is why I told you if there really was an anomaly behind the project and that he allegedly benefited from it... then bring the issue before the Ombudsman and let the issues be settled. What I am not in favor is that many of us Filipinos always resort to trial by publicity. That should not be the case, otherwise what are courts for..."

Ariel, let me direct you to a provision of the Constitution which prohibits Senators like Villar on things like these:

Sec. 12, Article VI. No Senator or Member of the House of Representatives
shall, upon assumption of office, make a full disclosure of their financial and
business interests. They shall notify the House concerned of a potential
conflict of interest that may arise from the filing of a proposed legislation of
which they are authors.

Ariel, Senator Villar did not disclose this neither did he actually refrained himself from the C-5 road project. That, to me, is an expressed violation of this provision, and worst, even sponsored the project. It is not just violation, but an IMMORAL act.

Yet, like I said, his singular act of giving away 6 house and lots is, by itself, a worthy one.

Villar's Defense Thru Radio Ads

Last Monday, the Senate floor saw former Senate president Manny Villar defend himself against accusations levelled against him by colleagues, Senators Jamby Madrigal and Ping Lacson. Manny's defense was aired live by DZMM (ABS-CBN 2) and DZBB (GMA Channel 7). Despite his booming voice and his attempt to present a strong alibi (" I was the one who suffered here for the sake of my constituency" line of defense), the beleguered senator failed to convince me and even some of my colleagues.

Villar's said he did'nt benefit from allowing the C-5 circumferential road to cross his vast real estate properties in Daang Hari, when, it was very clear that his real estate firm raked in millions from the right-of-way deal.

Villar also said that it was not him that prodded government to construct the C-5 road---it was originally an American idea which DPWH pursued later on to "decongest" traffic in Las Pinas, Paranaque and Cavite. True, it was the idea of the Americans way back in the 1920's yet it was only vigorously pursued when Villar became senator.

Villar claims that more than 6 million people benefit from the construction of the Daang Hari road. No dispute about that. That road really benefitted not just residents of Cavite or Las Pinas; moreso, it benefitted the house owners who bought lots and H/L from Camella and VistaLand. Truthfully, Villar actually benefitted from the construction of the road because his real estate agents were able to sell his products faster than others.

What Villar failed to establish is the veracity of his allegations against Ping and Jamby. He accused them of malicious intentions, pointing to Lacson and "other presidential aspirants" as behind the move to "smear" his good name. But, is politics the true reason why Villar is now suddenly being questioned?

Even before 2007, Villar's name has been unnecessarily dragged into this controversy. While the Daang Hari road is being constructed, malicious tongues already wagged that the "power" behind it was really the Senate President. Let's just give Villar the benefit of the doubt that he did lost money by not getting any single cent from those lucrative right-of-way deals. But, the very fact that he now earns billions through real estate sales, can you still say that he did'nt benefit from the project?

Months ago, Villar also admitted that he did, indeed, requested the DPWH to complete the construction of bridges and overpasses along Daang Hari road. Even that road linking Cavite to Paranaque and on to C-5 road was Villar's idea.

The question that crossed my mind is, why did Villar deny this when everybody knew already that he, together with his Congressman wife, were behind those projects? And is'nt strange that these projects cross his vast real estate properties in that part of the South?

Again, if Villar is in this thing "with clean hands", why did he purchased radio spots in selected radio stations at the very day that the Senate ethics committee questioned him? Yesterday, it was apparent that Vista Land's marketing and advertising department was behind those radio commercials which were aired shortly after his "defense" at the Senate.

When it was Senator Jamby's time to speak, DZMM and DZBB aired Villar's radio ads. The public was not able to hear Jamby's speech because of those ads. And we all know that advertisers can request these two networks to "just keep silent" or "just air Villar's defense" in exchange for advertising spots. That's an age-old trick by PR practitioners especially those who are unsure whether they influence the station or not.

Now, if Villar is really innocent of the crime charged by his colleagues at the Senate, why go to lengths like this (placement of radio ads)? Is Villar afraid that the public will know the truth?

Mr. Villar, if you're really clean, then, allow the Public to hear both sides, not just yours. Don't bind the hands of radio and TV stations by influencing their editorial discretions thru advertisement.

DZMM and DZBB should also explain to us why they ended the live coverage of the "Senate word war" yesterday and instead, aired Villar's radio ads. Were they instructed by their respective marketing departments not to anymore air the accuser's side and just air Villar's? The Ethics Committee and even the entire Senate should probe deeper into this.