Senate mulls P14.5-B supplemental budget after SC decision vs PDAF

Senate President Franklin Drilon. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines –Senate President Franklin Drilon welcomed  the  Supreme Court’s ruling that the lawmakers’ Priority  Development Assistance  Fund (PDAF) was unconstitutional, saying it only affirmed the  Senate’s position that fund  must be abolished.

“We welcome the decision of the Supreme Court declaring the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) unconstitutional. We will abide by the decision of the Supreme Court,” Drilon said in a statement on Tuesday.

He said the SC ruling did not only reinforce the government’s efforts to reform the country’s political system, but it also affirmed the Senate’s position that PDAF must be abolished.

In fact, Drilon said, the decision was “moot and academic” insofar as the Senate is concerned since the senators have already waived their use of the remaining PDAF for 2013.

At least 15 of senators have also decided to fully delete the PDAF in the 2014 budget, which he said in effect will lower the country’s budget deficit pegged at P266.2 billion.

“Everybody is stepping in the right direction, as the abolition of PDAF system should be the start of more reforms aimed at curbing corruption and misuse of taxpayers’ money,” Drilon said.

With the abolition of PDAF, Drilon said, “the system of political patronage that has stunted socio-economic development and allowed a few to maintain their political dominance in certain areas” will now be dismantled.

“The Senate will see to it that henceforth, all officials shall adhere to laws and rules and regulations governing the use of public funds,” he said.

Now that the PDAF was declared unconstitutional, Drilon said the Senate is now eyeing the passage of a supplemental budget for 2013 in the amount of P14.5 billion representing the unutilized PDAF for 2013.

The  supplemental budget, he said, may be used by executive to bolster its relief operations and rehabilitation of areas affected by the recent calamities, particularly typhoons Yolanda, Santi, Labuyo, and as well as the siege in Zamboanga City and the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Visayas.

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