Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda: Clueless
MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Wednesday said that if the Development Acceleration Program (DAP) would be declared unconstitutional, it will not necessarily make President Benigno Aquino III liable for impeachment.
“Not all acts that are deemed unconstitutional is synonymous with impeachable,” Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing at Malacañang.
He said a number of laws and certain acts have already been declared unconstitutional but “that does not equate to impeachability.”
“The operative word here is ‘if.’ The Supreme Court has not made a decision yet, so it’s hypothetical,” he said, referring to DAP.
Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago on Tuesday said that if the high tribunal rules that DAP is unconstitutional, “President Aquino will become liable for impeachment, on the constitutional ground of bribery.”
Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada said, in a privilege speech last year, that senators who voted for the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona received an additional P50 million in funds. It was revealed that the amount was sourced from the DAP.
Senators Franklin Drilon, Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Juan Ponce Enrile received P100 million.
Santiago said that if DAP was declared unconstitutional, the senators would have to return the additional funds to the government.
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