Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago on Tuesday asked the Senate to slash P13 million from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority's House-approved budget due to suspicions that its chairman, Bayani Fernando, will use the money for his 2010 presidential bid.

In a letter sent to Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Santiago said the Senate should trim the House-approved MMDA budget of P1.552 billion because Fernando might use a part of the money for the 2010 elections.

Santiago said the amount, which is allotted as the MMDA's maintenance operating and other expenses, said is too excessive for the agency, which has failed to solve Metro Manila's traffic problem.

Aside from being allegedly inutile, she said Fernando is likely to use the budget to finance his campaign materials in 2010.

She said that Fernando's big posters in major thoroughfares in Metro Manila are proof that the MMDA chairman is already using the agency's fund to fulfill his presidential dream.

The Senate is currently deliberating on the House-approved national budget for 2009. With radio dzMM