SC defers decision on presidential pork

MANILA, Philippines–The Supreme Court deferred again a ruling on the constitutionality of the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), the so-called presidential pork barrel fund, which was again tackled during its en banc session on Tuesday.

“There is no decision yet on the DAP. No date was given by the court on when they will decide (on it),” court spokesman Theodore Te told reporters.

Te said the high court did not give any reason why it did not rule on the petitions challenging the DAP, a facility used by President Aquino purportedly to pump-prime the economy but was questioned by concerned groups because its use had not been sanctioned by Congress.

It was the second time in two weeks that the high court took up the petitions challenging the constitutionality of the DAP and failed to come up with a decision.

Malacañang has asked the high court to dismiss the DAP petitions, saying the issue had become moot and academic because it had discontinued the facility since last year.–Christine O. Avendaño

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