PDAF’s defeat a partial victory, lawmaker says

Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court declaration that the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or “pork barrel” is unconstitutional is a “partial victory”, a lawmaker said Thursday.

“It’s a partial victory because the Disbursement Acceleration Fund (DAP) or presidential pork has not been slain,” Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares said on an interview over Radyo Inquirer 990AM.

Colmenares said the decision of the high court would make the President very powerful and more influential.  “The President has now the overall control of funds,” Colmenares said.

Colmenares said Congress has no reason to hold on to pork barrel. “You don’t need projects to show them [constituents] that you are really representing their interest. You have to do well in drafting a bill.” Colmenares said.

Bayan Muna has filed a petition before the high court to question DAP. “Unless and until the president’s pork is abolished, graft and corruption and patronage politics will continue,” Colmenares said.

Colmenares said the high court should be consistent and strike down DAP because it is not only a lump sum but unlimited pork.

Colmenares said lawmakers should now pass a budget consistent with the decision of the high court.

On Monday, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said students getting a share from the PDAF of lawmakers for their tuition were bound to lose their scholarship grants following the high court’s decision.

Colmenares refuted Abad’s argument, saying scholars could be transferred to government agencies like the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Colmenares proposed that the President should submit an itemized supplemental budget for the rehabilitation of the areas badly stricken by the successive calamities that hit the country.

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