Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang on Saturday said the order of the Commission on Audit to four senators to return their Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allocations is strictly a matter between the lawmakers and the government agency.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Malacanang cannot compel the four to comply with the order of COA, an independent body, since the senators are from a coequal branch of government.
“The Palace does not have the power to compel the senators to comply, knowing the senators belong to a separate and coequal branch of government,” Valte said on radio.
COA chair Grace Pulido-Tan announced Friday notices have been sent to the four senators identified as Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, and Gregorio Honasan, and some others concerning concerning at least P6 billion of their pork barrel entitlements from PDAF that went to bogus non-government organizations (NGOs) from 2007-2009.
“This is a matter between the COA and the four senators who were issued notices of disallowance,” Valte added.
“We respect COA’s independence as a constitutional body and we have no participation in this particular matter,” Communications secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Saturday in a text message to reporters.
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