Can Aquino be charged over DAP? Not yet, says Escudero

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines — President Benigno Aquino III could not be charged yet–at least during the remainder of his term–over the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), parts of which were declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, an allied senator said on Wednesday.

“They may be sued — except PNoy (Aquino’s nickname) who is immune from suit during his incumbency,” Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said in a text message to reporters when asked if Aquino and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad may be sued in connection with the DAP.

“But, under the decision, bad faith must be proven and is no longer presumed,” said Escudero.

Voting 13-0 Tuesday, the high court upheld its decision, declaring parts of the DAP unconstitutional with slight modifications.

Despite this, Escudero, who chairs the Senate committee on finance, assured that the recently approved national budget for 2015 remained compliant with the SC decision.

“I welcome the decision of the SC. The minor modification does not affect the legislations we passed regarding the budget. The 2015 budget remains to be compliant with the decision,” he further said.

Senator Grace Poe, who is also a member of the majority bloc in the Senate, said the high tribunal has spoken and its decision must be respected.

“In that case, kailangan nating igalang ang desisyon ng Korte Suprema. At least ngayon nalinawan na kasi diumano noong mga nakaraang administrasyon ay mayroong ganyang uri ng paggasta ng pera,” Poe said in an interview Tuesday.

(In that case, we need to respect the Supreme Court’s decision. At least now, there is a clarification because in previous administrations, similar measures of spending savings have purportedly happened.)

“At least ngayon magagabayan na rin pati ‘yung executive kung ano ba talaga ‘yung limits ng paggasta ng pera,” she further said.

(At least now, even the executive (branch) will be guided as to the limits of spending the savings.)

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