No more luxury cars, government agencies told

No more Expeditions, Land Cruisers, Pajeros and other luxury cars.

Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr., chairman of the House appropriations committee, has been conveying this message to Cabinet members and other agency heads in the hearings his panel has been conducting on the proposed P781-billion 2002 budget.

Andaya told reporters over the weekend that his committee will write a provision in the annual appropriations bill banning the purchase of luxury vehicles, except upon approval by the President.

He said only ambulances, military and police patrol vehicles, road construction equipment, bancas and vehicles for mass transport will be allowed to be procured.

He said although President Arroyo is given the discretion to allow the purchase of luxury cars under the present appropriations law, she has so far chosen not to exercise such prerogative.

On the contrary, she has in fact imposed a ban on new vehicles and ordered the auction of government-owned luxury cars, he added.

Mrs. Arroyo’s directive is contained in Administrative Order No. 3, which prohibits the "acquisition and use" of luxury cars by all agency heads, including those of government corporations and education institutions.

It requires these officials to "surrender or dispose" their luxury vehicles.

However, concerned officials, including Cabinet members, are largely ignoring the presidential directive.

Many Cabinet secretaries and their underlings are seen using luxury vehicles going to the Batasan building in Quezon City to attend budget hearings.

Their vehicles are Land Cruisers, Pajeros and brand new V-6 Nissan Cefiro Broughams.

The latest report sent to Rep. Magtanggol Gunigundo 1 (Lakas, Valenzuela) by Customs Commissioner Titus Villanueva indicated that Arroyo administration officials have not turned over even a single luxury car for auction.

Gunigundo has been monitoring the disposition of expensive sport utility vehicles (SUVs) seized by Customs during the Estrada administration and turned over to Malacañang. It was he who had exposed the irregularity.

Villanueva’s report showed that five SUVs seized during Estrada’s time were still with Palace officials.

Customs has realized nearly P80 million from the auction of seized SUVs.