MANILA, Philippines –Let President Benigno Aquino III finish his term despite the controversy over the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada on Tuesday told the president’s critics calling for his impeachment.
Estrada made the statement as the first one to blow the lid on the savings-impounding mechanism of the president. In a privilege speech, Estrada has said funds from DAP were given as incentives to senators who voted to convict former Chief Justice Renato Corona.
“Let us not divide the country anymore. We have a lot of problems. Let the president finish his term after 2016,” Estrada said.
Aquino is facing two impeachment complaints before the House of Representatives endorsed by the Makabayan bloc, over his culpable violation of the Constitution when he implemented the DAP.
The Supreme Court had ruled that some parts of DAP are unconstitutional.
“Tama na ang divisiveness. Pagod na tayo,” Estrada said.
(Enough with the divisiveness. We are already tired of it.)
He added that even if the complaint reaches the Senate, it will take a lot of time for the chamber to tackle it after the impeachment trial of Corona.
Estrada said though that the complaint is unlikely to get enough support in the House of Representatives long dominated by presidential allies.
“It’s a numbers game,” Estrada said.
Estrada faces plunder and graft charges for his alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam.
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