Budget Secretary Florencio Abad. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / LYN RILLON
MANILA, Philippines – Except for former senator and now rehabilitation czar Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, legislators, who either belong to the administration or the opposition, nominated projects from funds under the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said on Thursday.
Even partylist groups, Abad said, had proposed projects from the DAP funds.
“Well, dito ho sa Senado, isa lang po ang hindi humingi ng pondo na napapaloob po dun sa DAP savings at yan po ay si Senator Ping Lacson,” Abad said, responding to queries by Senate President Franklin Drilon, during the hearing of the Senate committee on finance on DAP.
“Lahat ng mga senador regardless of political affiliations nominated projects that can be funded under this program. How about the House?” Drilon asked.
“Ganun din po, maski na ho nasa minority ay napapagbigyan din po,” said Abad.
Asked by Drilon if partylist groups had also received DAP funds, the Budget chief said, “Including partylist. Katulad ho ng Bayan, nakakatanggap din ho yun.”
Abad particularly named Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Neri Colmenares as one of the recipients of projects funded through the DAP.
Before this, Drilon pointed out that even Cabinet members could nominate projects that will be funded through the DAP.
In fact, Abad said, they also received proposals even from ordinary citizens.