President Benigno S. Aquino III
MANILA, Philippines – As President Benigno Aquino III marks his fourth year in office, Malacañang on Thursday maintained that despite the controversy the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) had served its purpose.
“We strongly believe that the DAP has benefited the country,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said.
“When we had a quarter where there was a very low GDP (gross domestic product), we implemented the DAP and it contributed to the various programs of the government, the various agencies,” he added.
The DAP, which was initially meant to pump-prime the economy through public spending, is being questioned before the Supreme Court for its legality. The Aquino administration was earlier accused of using the fund to allegedly influence senators during the impeachment of former chief justice Renato Corona.
“Now, it is questioned before the Supreme Court, so we will leave it to the Supreme Court as to its constitutionality. But is our professed belief that the DAP has benefited the country,” Lacierda simply said.
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