NEWSFLASH

SEIZED VEHICLES STAY WITH OFFICIALS: ERAP

Malacanang, Sept. 16, 1999 - President Joseph "Erap" Ejercito Estrada stressed Wednesday the seized vehicles that he had assigned to Cabinet members and other senior government officials would remain with them.

In his weekly radio program Itawag Mo Kay Erap on dzRH, the President rejected suggestions to recall the vehicles even as he reiterated his challenge to his critics to hale him to court.

"Bakit ko ipababalik, e wala namang masama doon? At ako, I take full responsibility as President. Ako, I am accountable to the people. Kung meron silang inaakala nilang mali e dalhin nila sa korte at ako ang haharap sa korte (Why should I recall them when I see nothing wrong with that? I take full responsibility as President. I am accountable to the people. If some people think what I did was wrong, they can drag me to court)," he said.

Also, Mr. Estrada challenged one of his accusers from Congress to try prosecuting his father for benefiting from such a privilege during the previous administration.

"Dapat idemanda niya ang ama niya (He should charge his father)," he said of Rep. Magtanggol Gunigundo Jr., whose father chaired the Presidential Commission on Good Government.

The President reiterated he wants to give his Cabinet members some dignity and representation so they would not be ashamed when meeting with their counterparts from abroad.

Besides, he pointed out, he holds the discretion to issue the seized vehicles to his Cabinet officials.

"Di ko maintindihan dito kung ano ang mga issue na nilalabas e wala namang basehan o ano (I cannot understand what some people continue to carp about)," he said.

Meanwhile, the President said he will act on the case of some 1,500 firearms for the Philippine National Police (PNP) that have been withheld at the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

According to reports, the BOC withheld the firearms because the PNP could not raise P11 million to pay for taxes on the weapons.

"Pag-uwi ko na lang diyan, patatawag ko lahat yung mga taong may kinalaman diyan at doon ko lang maisasagot sa iyo yan (When I get home, I’ll call to a meeting the people concerned)," he said.

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Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi