INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Government lawyer Francis Jardeleza urged the Supreme Court to partially lift the restraining order on the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for scholars and sick beneficiaries.
During part two of the oral argument on petitions seeking abolition of PDAF, Jardeleza said even the Commission on Audit report did not show any irregularity in the grant of scholarships and in giving medical assistance to the poor.
“For all the sins committed in the implementation of PDAF, the errant and the corrupt must be punished,” Jardeleza said but pointed that scholars and sick indigents are not a party to any corruption.
He said the studies and medical treatment will be affected if the restraining order will not be partially lifted.
“We appeal in behalf of the scholars and indigent recipients of medical aide, they were not a party to any misuse and they are not a party to any corruption…Please give them the benefit of the doubt,” Jardeleza said.
Petitioners that sought the abolition of PDAF include former senatorial candidate Greco Belgica, Samson Alcantara, former Boac, Marinduque Mayor Pedrito Nepomuceno.
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