Too early to get Aquino off the hook over DAP—Bayan

By: Yuji Vincent Gonzales - 9 years ago

Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

While welcoming the Ombudsman’s order to probe Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad over the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), a militant group on Thursday maintained that President Benigno Aquino III should be held liable for the controversial savings-impounding mechanism, portions of which were declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes said Aquino was “principally accountable” for DAP, which was regarded the President’s pork barrel, as he was the one who approved the release of funds.

“It is only right that DBM Secretary Abad and his undersecretary Mario Relampagos face the investigation for their role in the illegal DAP. However the biggest problem is that the Ombudsman field investigators have already absolved President Aquino from any liability,” Reyes said in a statement.

“Aquino is principally accountable for DAP since he signed the DAP memos releasing P144 billion for various pork barrel projects. How can he not be liable now?” he added.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales on Wednesday ordered the investigation for technical malversation of Abad, who was said to be the brains behind DAP, along with Budget Undersecretary Mario Relampagos, who is currently facing graft charges over the pork barrel scam. The order came after Morales approved the fact-finding probe of the Ombudsman field investigation office which found Abad and Relampagos liable over DAP.

READ: Ombudsman to probe Abad over DAP | Abad, aide face DAP probe| Abad faces complaint over DAP

It was noticeable, however, that Morales did not order a probe on Aquino, who appointed her to office in 2012.

Reyes said the Ombudsman should investigate Aquino’s supposed role in the DAP, noting that Abad and Relampagos may use him as an excuse to get away with the allegations.

“Wouldn’t Abad and Relampagos use as their defense the fact that the Ombudsman already cleared Aquino and that they were thus merely carrying out lawful orders from the president?” Reyes asked.

“The Abad probe may turn out to be a sham if Aquino’s key role in the DAP is not pursued. The case should not be limited simply to malversation,” he said.

The DAP first became controversial in September 2013 when Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada disclosed in a privilege speech that senator judges were bribed P50 million in DAP to convict then Chief Justice Renato Corona. Practices under DAP were declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in its July 2014 ruling, which was modified in February 2015.

“The Ombudsman must look into how billions were given to lawmakers who supported the Corona impeachment trial. Aquino and Abad were involved in the corruption of public officials during the impeachment. It is too early to get Aquino off the hook,” Reyes added.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Department of Budget and Management welcomed the Ombudman’s probe but noted that the inquiry was “not a matter whether individuals had stolen from public coffers.” Malacanang, meanwhile, called the investigation as an “opportunity” to clarify legal issues surrounding the DAP. Yuji Vincent Gonzales/TVJ