Lawmaker searching for Ninoy, Javier statues

MANILA, Philippines – Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to locate the statues of the late former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and the late Antique governor Evelio Javier, which were removed from the Baywalk along Roxas Boulevard more than six months ago.

“These are government property built with taxpayers’ money. If the DPWH cannot produce them, we will file legal cases,” Atienza said Monday night. He said the DPWH removed the statues while Roxas Boulevard was being rehabilitated for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

“When do they plan to reinstall these monuments? Javier’s death anniversary is coming up on Feb. 11 while the country will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the EDSA People Power revolution on Feb. 25,” he said.

DPWH-National Capital Region engineer Jericho Luna said the statues are in the safekeeping of the contractor for the project, AUKH Contractor.

He said they had to postpone the relocation of the two statues as the agency is waiting for funds to continue the renovation of Roxas Boulevard.

He hinted it was unlikely the two statues would be installed within this month.