Bayan on SC DAP ruling: Hold Aquino, Abad accountable

MANILA, Philippines – Militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) hailed the ruling of the Supreme Court striking down parts of the government’s Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) as unconstitutional.

In a statement, Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes Jr. said Tuesday that the SC decision allows the alleged principal authors of the disbursement mechanism, President Benigno Aquino III and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, to be held accountable.

“The latest SC decision should now pave the way for holding President Aquino and DBM Secretary Butch Abad accountable for large-scale corruption, bribery and malversation of public funds. They are the principal authors of DAP who should be investigated and made accountable. Abad concocted the DAP while Aquino signed all the DAP memoranda that pooled the savings from various implementing agencies,” Reyes said.

The militant group added that ruling parts of DAP unconstitutional reinforced the clamor for Aquino’s ouster.

“The SC decision in a way vindicates the complainants in the impeachment against Aquino. The President has a lot to answer for to the Filipino people. The legal and moral grounds for his removal from office are now stronger than ever,” he added.

The SC on Tuesday modified its July 1 DAP ruling, declaring the declaration of savings prior to the current fiscal year and “cross-border transfer” of savings as unconstitutional.
The High Court emphasized that only the authors of DAP, and not the implementors, could be held accountable.

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