Drilon: 9 senators opted to realign ‘pork’

MANILA, Philippines— Senate President Franklin Drilon said that 15 of the 24 senators opted not to accept their Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel, a report from INQUIRER Radio 990AM said.

The nine senators, who have decided to realign their PDAF, a euphemism for pork barrel fund, to various government agencies  are:

Senate President Franklin Drilon. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Alan Peter Cayetano

Pia Cayetano

1. Antonio Trillanes IV
2. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito
3. Miriam Defensor-Santiago
4. Ramon”Bong”  Revilla Jr.
5. Jinggoy Estrada
6. Ralph Recto
7. Lito Lapid

Drilon explained that the approved P2.264 trillion 2014 national budget was lower than the proposed budget by the executive branch.

Drilon said the decrease in the budget proposal of the executive was a result of the decision of the 15 senators and  Vice President Jejomar Binay delete their PDAF allocations.

The P1-billion calamity fund, according to Drilon, was incorporated in the approved 2014 national budget.  With reports from Chona Yu, INQUIRER Radio 990AM