Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. on Thursday denied the alleged anomalies on the disbursement of road users’ tax, saying the release did not happen during his term.

During his visit to Davao City to attend the launching of the Abante Tribung Mindanao (ATM), Ebdane disclosed that the alleged disbursements happened after his term as chairman of the road board. “I was transferred to the Department of National Defense from February to June 2007 and this was when the alleged releases happened. So kung sino ang nakaupo ng panahon na yan ang dapat tanungin. My conscience is clear,” he said.

Ebdane assured that he presided all deliberations on the road board. “All road board deliberations were presided by me. If I’m not present, I ask for postponement. All resolutions were taken up in my presence,” he said.

He stressed that he has documents to back up his claims. “I have a thick document stating the specific distributions of money to the last centavo. These documents are distributed and checked on the ground,” Ebdane said.

He also bared that the documents could answer the queries on the allegations.

“We have an open book. Any complaint will be referred to the documents,” Ebdane said, hoping for a closure on the issue. “I suggest not just investigation but a closure,” he said. However, he welcomed investigation on the matter.

However, Ebdane expressed confidence that these allegations will not affect his bid for the presidency. “I don’t think this can affect my candidacy. I can explain to people. I am credible enough for people to believe,” he said.