Malacanang welcomed the resolution made by its congressional allies seeking a replacement to President Benigno S. Aquino III’s five-year-old presidential car saying that it would give him ample protection in the midst of terror threats.
“This is a necessary expense for our President because all Presidents, all heads of states, are required to have an official vehicle. Our Commander-in-Chief is entitled to protection,” Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said on Tuesday in Malacanang.
Lacierda said the presidential car bought by the government in 2007 during the Arroyo administration was damaged by floodwaters during Typhoon Ondoy and was no longer reliable.
All heads of state are entitled to an official vehicle for protection, Lacierda said, stressing that President Aquino uses his own Toyota Land Cruiser and hasn’t decided to buy a new one to save government money.
Because the current presidential vehicle is in need of constant repair, the President uses his own vehicle after he assumed office in June 2010. The last time the government acquired a presidential car was in 2007. The Palace considers the present presidential fleet obsolete.
Lacierda also said that it is unfair for the President to use his own vehicle because he can’t charge repairs and maintenance expenses to the government.
Lacierda pointed out that the Palace is not aware that any consultation was made before congressional allies came up with the resolution for the acquisition of a new vehicle for the President. He added, however, that Malacanang as well as the Presidential Security Group (PSG) welcomed the move.
Fending off accusations that the proposal entails some favor from the President, Lacierda said, the Palace believes there is no other motive for the said allies to come up with such a resolution other than giving the chief executive better protection and convenience during his trips.
A group of congressmen argued that President Aquino needed to have a new official vehicle to “amply protect the Chief Executive amid reports of heightened global terrorism.”
Among the congressmen who crafted the resolution were Reps. Ben Evardone (LP, Eastern Samar); Cesar Sarmiento (LP, Catanduanes); Mel Senen Sarmiento (LP, Western Samar); Antonio del Rosario (LP, Capiz); Roger Mercado (LP, Southern Leyte)and Alfredo Benitez (NPC, Negros Occidental).
Lacierda also said that it is unfair for the President to use his own vehicle because he can’t charge repairs and maintenance expenses to the government.
Lacierda pointed out that the Palace is not aware that any consultation was made before congressional allies came up with the resolution for the acquisition of a new vehicle for the President. He added, however, that Malacanang as well as the Presidential Security Group (PSG) welcomed the move.
Fending off accusations that the proposal entails some favor from the President, Lacierda said, the Palace believes there is no other motive for the said allies to come up with such a resolution other than giving the chief executive better protection and convenience during his trips.
A group of congressmen argued that President Aquino needed to have a new official vehicle to “amply protect the Chief Executive amid reports of heightened global terrorism.”
Among the congressmen who crafted the resolution were Reps. Ben Evardone (LP, Eastern Samar); Cesar Sarmiento (LP, Catanduanes); Mel Senen Sarmiento (LP, Western Samar); Antonio del Rosario (LP, Capiz); Roger Mercado (LP, Southern Leyte)and Alfredo Benitez (NPC, Negros Occidental).
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