Government “wasted” at least P170 million of borrowed money when it funded the construction of an additional interchange for the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) that led to the commercial complex in Hacienda Luisita, Tarlac.

This was learned during the oversight committee review of the Overseas Development Assistance funded projects which centered on the allegedly overpriced SCTEX project implemented by the Bases Conversion Development Authority.

As the hearing went to the direction of the allegedly overpriced purchase of road right of way in the Hacienda Luisita area and the “unnecessary” expenditure of P170 million for its interchange, committee members aired the belief that these irregularities could lead to the campaign trail of Liberal Party presidential bet, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

Now a mixed agricultural-industrial and commercial complex, Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac is owned by the family of Sen. Aquino.

The House panel chaired by Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, noted that the SCTEX has cost government an additional P11 billion from its original estimated cost of P21 billion as a result of various deviations in the construction plan and alleged overpricing in the acquisition of road right of way.

Representatives Jonathan de la Cruz of Abakada-Guro and Edno Joson (Independent, Nueva Ecija) blamed overpricing, project plan alterations and escalation clauses in the contract as the culprit for the SCTEX price swell.

On the other hand, Asst. Majority Leader Crispin Remulla cited the Hacienda Luisita right of way sold to the government to be apparently priced grossly higher than its fair market value of P8 per square meter.