Hearing on DAP resumes

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Supreme Court resumes Tuesday the oral arguments on the President’s controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

The Office of the Solicitor General is expected to strongly defend the so-called presidential pork barrel and rebuff allegations it constitutes illegal disbursements.

Tuesday’s oral arguments won’t be the last. The high court has set another hearing on Feb. 18 where the Senate and the House are expected to defend the DAP as well. Congress has hired a private lawyer, retired SC Associate Justice Vicente Mendoza, to represent it.

In their respective motions last month to the high court, Senate President Franklin Drilon and Speaker Feliciano Belmonte said they found it necessary to get their own lawyer instead of using the legal office of the executive branch, “to ensure that Congress’ constitutional authority over the budget is preserved.”

More than a week ago, the OSG sought the postponement of the oral arguments set for Jan. 28 to give Congress more time to prepare. But the high court rejected this and ordered the hearing to proceed as scheduled.—Christine O. Avendaño