Aquino speech meant to sway SC on DAP, says UNA | Inquirer News

Aquino speech meant to sway SC on DAP, says UNA

/ 04:04 PM November 03, 2013

President Benigno Aquino III INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III’s speech in defense of the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) was no less than a hint to the Supreme Court justices, a United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) officer said on Sunday.

“He was actually subtly exerting pressure on the Supreme Court that is why he went out of his way to sound rational and reasonable on primetime TV. But unfortunately it was not a masterful job in laying the predicate to appeal for a constitutional blunder that is DAP,” UNA secretary general Toby Tiangco said in a statement.

Article continues after this advertisement

The Navotas City representative said the speech, broadcast on prime time television on Wednesday, was clearly intended for the SC and not just the general public.

FEATURED STORIES

Tiangco pointed out that Malacañang was worried that an unfavorable decision by the SC would seriously hurt the Aquino administration’s political agenda.

He said Aquino “did not intend to appease an angry mob, otherwise, the most noble act would have been giving up the President’s own pork-barrel and abolishing the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).”

Article continues after this advertisement

He said the court, as a separate branch of government, should stand its ground.

Article continues after this advertisement

“We hope and trust that the SC will not reverse themselves in the ruling they made in Demetria vs Alba, wherein the same mechanism used in DAP was already declared unconstitutional,” he said.

Article continues after this advertisement

The legality of the DAP is currently being questioned in court and the next oral argument has been set for November 11.

The said speech has drawn mixed reactions from both the public and politicians. Critics said Aquino “missed the point” by defending himself instead of addressing the systemic problem while allies agreed that DAP was needed to fund crucial projects.

Article continues after this advertisement

Related Stories:

Aquino stands firm on DAP

Pork barrel critics say Aquino missed the point in his television address

Allies back President on DAP stand

Petitioners vs DAP narrow down issues for Nov. 11 oral argument

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

 

TAGS: corruption, Nation, News, Pork barrel

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.