ANSON-ROA VOWS TO STOP PARKING FEES AT MALLS, HOSPITALS March 21, 2004 KNP senatorial candidate Boots Anson-Roa made a pledge yesterday that if elected in the May 10 elections, she would author a law stopping the collection of illegal parking fees in shopping malls and hospitals. Anson-Roa, an outstanding alumna of the University of the Philippines, said a similar measure had been introduced in the past in Congress, but this died a natural death because of a powerful lobby launched by big shopping mall owners. "If elected to the Senate, I will author a bill prohibiting the collection of parking fees at all public establishments, particularly shopping malls, private hospitals, government offices, parks and plazas," said the KNP bet who is running under the ticket of KNP presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. and his running mate, Sentor Loren Legarda. She challenged the government to put a stop to this money-making practice of shopping malls, saying it smacks of illegal taxation and grand extortion. "We should not milk customers of shopping malls who are the lifeblood of their multi-million-peso business. Neither should we make money out of people who go to public and private hospitals just to visit their ailing relatives," Anson-Roa remarked. The multi-awarded actress who is making her debut in politics said it is a mistake for public establishments to collect parking fees. "Collecting parking fees is a form of illegal taxation because there is no law governing such practice," she added. What is worse, according to the KNP bet, is that shopping malls do not accept responsibility for the theft of parked vehicles or any damage inflicted on them by moving vehicles in the parking lot. "It is the obligation and responsibility of shopping mall owners and other public establishments to reserve a parking area for their customers without imposing parking fees," Anson-Roa said. Expressing her resolve, she said that if she makes it to the Senate, she will not stop until she succeeds in pushing for a law that will stop once and for all what she calls "unlawful and unconscionable collection of parking fees."