SC ends arguments on Aquino’s DAP

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The oral arguments on the constitutionality of President Aquino’s Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) were concluded Tuesday at 4 p.m., with Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno ordering all the parties to submit their memoranda within 20 days, after which the case shall be considered submitted for resolution.

Justice Marvic Leonen, the last to interpellate government co-counsel Vicente Mendoza, asked him if the Department of Budget and Management circular that created the DAP or the 106 disbursements that were made through the program were sufficient bases for the court to come up with a decision.

Mendoza replied that the circular did not violate the rights of the petitioners, and that it was not proper for the court to look into each of the 106 disbursements. He said it was the Commission on Audit that should examine each of the transactions and its findings based on evidence could then be used by the high court.

Leonen also inquired about the new position of the government on the transfer of funds via the DAP to other branches of the government, such as the Commission on Elections. The justice asked if there was a constitutional basis for the concept.—Jerome Aning