PDAF defeat prompts Aquino to fly back to Manila

MANILA, Philippines-President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday immediately flew back to Manila, cutting short his visit to the Yolanda-battered Tacloban City.

At about 3:30 p.m., Aquino left Tacloban aboard a private plane.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III. (AP Photo/Malacanang Photo Bureau, Robert Vinas)

Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II said Aquino would attend a special meeting in Manila.

Roxas admitted that the urgent departure of the president has something to do with the decision of the Supreme Court that declared the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) as unconstitutional.

According to Roxas, Aquino has not yet read the decision of the high court. “Let us give the President the chance to read first the decision to be able to address concerns properly.”

Aquino earlier said he would stay in Tacloban until he gets satisfied with the relief and rehabilitation efforts of the government.  Before leaving Tacloban, Aquino has been busy distributing relief goods to “Yolanda” battered areas in the Visayas.

Related stories

Romualdez: Letter form of resignation

Families anxiously seek missing amid ‘Yolanda’ devastation

House move to realign ‘pork’ to ‘Yolanda’ victims hit

Read more...