By Argyll Cyrus Geducos President Duterte revealed that he is siding with the Senate that the Road Board should be abolished as it has been nothing but a depository of money for corrupt politicians. Duterte made the statement after House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. insisted that the President was one of the people who wished to maintain the Road Board. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO) In his speech during the Philippine Air Force Change of Command Ceremony, Duterte said acknowledged that there is now a ruckus in the Congress about the fate of the Road Board. However, Duterte said that he is siding with the Senate this time. "There's a little bit of a ruckus there in the Congress regarding the abolition or the continuance of the Road Users' Tax. I believe that the Senate has decided the right thing and has stated that the Road Tax Board has been dismantled," Duterte said Friday evening. Duterte also clarified that since the day he assumed the presidency, he has been questioning the existence of the said body. "I've always been wary of this office because it has been the milking cow of people who are corrupt in government. Ever since I really questioned the existence of this office. It's nothing but depository of money and for corruption," he said. "Walang ibang purpose 'yan (It has no other purpose). And I agree with the others and the senators that it is time to abolish it and return that function to the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways)," he added. Side with Senate According to Duterte, he is siding with the Senate and its interpretation of the law. He said that there must have been a misunderstanding when he talked to Congress about the Road Board. "Early on sinabi ko na sa kanila ayoko talaga 'yan (I already told them that I do not like that board). But you know, politics and the expediency of everything, nandiyan pa 'yan hanggang ngayon (it's still there)," he said. "And I had a talk with Arroyo and apparently, there was a misunderstanding because all along I really wanted to abolish the Road Tax and Andaya says now that I was one of those who said it should be maintained. No. Nagkamali sila doon (They were wrong about that)," he added. Duterte said that the House of Representatives should decide to abolish the body or else he will be forced to side with the Senate. However, Duterte said this would create another constitutional issue which he would prefer to avoid. "I say now that it's about time na buwagin nila 'yan (that they abolish that) because if not, and if I side, which I am on the side of the Senate, it would create another Constitutional issue and maybe crisis. 'Wag lang sana (I hope it won't)," he said. "Please... If it's good for the people, if it's good for the trust deposited on the people on government employees, let's just go ahead and abolish it," he added. Earlier, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that Duterte would side with the Senate and sign the bill abolishing the Road Board. He also said that the President would sign it even without Arroyo's signature and that House members are free to question its legality before the courts. "So that's the position of the President. He doesn't like it. He wants it abolished... "Siguro (Perhaps) if the President really wants to end this, he will sign it," Panelo said.