Senate readies report on ethics complaint vs Senator Villar

Despite the absence of any reply from Senator Manuel Villar Jr, even after the Friday deadline lapsed, the Senate will start preparing the report on an ethics probe against him. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said late Saturday he has received no word of Villar or his representative submitting evidence to counter those submitted in the investigation. “Ibig sabihin noon, deemed submitted na ang kaso for resolution. Gagawin na namin ang report (That means the case is now deemed submitted for resolution. We will prepare the report)," Enrile said in an interview on dwIZ radio, when told Villar’s camp had insisted there was nothing to discuss and that it will not take part in the proceeding. When asked if his office had received any response or evidence from Villar’s camp, he said, “wala pa akong balita, malalaman ko sa Lunes (I have not been notified. I will know for sure on Monday)." Enrile chairs the Senate Committee of the Whole that is looking into an ethics complaint against Villar filed by Sen. Maria Ana Consuelo Madrigal. The complaint stemmed from Madrigal’s accusation of conflict of interest against Villar. Madrigal claimed Villar used his position to have his properties benefit from road right of way claims. Villar and his allies in the Senate minority bloc, claiming the proceedings were politically motivated, refused to participate in the investigation. The senator was given until last Friday to file a response over the complaint. Enrile said that once the report is finalized, it will be submitted to all senators for signature. He downplayed the threat of the minority bloc not to sign the report. “Nasa kanila yan. Sa ating gobyerno ang decision ng nakakarami ang nasusunod (It is up to them. In this government, the decision will be based on the stand of the majority)," he said. Enrile also laughed off claims that the timing of the report will be politically motivated, since Villar is running for president in 2010. “Sa akin walang problema sa akin kung anong iisipin ng bayan, talagang ganyan. Ginagawa namin yan di dahil sinadya namin. Wala kaming control sa ibang schedule. Ang sasabihin doon nakasaad sa ebidensya (I have no problem with what other people will think. What we are doing is not politically motivated. The contents of the report will be based on evidence)," he said. - GMANews.TV