Pablo John accuses Magpale of PDAF freeze

LIKE his father, Rep. Pablo John Garcia of Cebu’s 3rd district wants the release of over P3 million in his pork barrel funds which he earlier deposited in a trust fund with the Capitol under the administration of his sister Gov. Gwen Garcia.

Pablo John said the funds were intended for scholarships and victims of road accidents, among other purposes.

Written requests for the fund release are still pending with Acting Gov. Agnes Magpale.

“We’ve been asking for the release of the funds to our scholars especially since it’s final exam time but apparently Vice Gov. Magpale wants our kids to suffer,” Garcia said in a text messsage to Cebu Daily News.

He said victims of the Naga, Uling and Magdugo vehicular accidents also await the release of the financial and burial assistance.

“But clearly, Magpale is numb and insensitive to their needs,” said Garcia, who’s running for the gubernatorial seat in the May 13 elections.

Each congressman hahas P70 million a year as Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or a pork barrel.

Unlike his father, Rep. Pablo “Pabling” Garcia who sought the help of the Office of the Ombudsman, the younger Garcia said he has no intention to go to the anti-graft office.

“If I go to the Ombudsman, it might be said to be politically motivated. I think I will just let my scholars and the victims of the accidents go to the Ombudsman,” he said.

Last Tuesday, Pablo and representatives of Magpale went to the anti-graft office for a mediation requested by the congressman.

He said there was no reason municipalities and barangays should be deprived of projects and social services for some “ulterior partisan considerations.”

The patriarch of the Garcia clan threatened to file complaints against Magpale if “no acceptable resolution” is reached.

Magpale’s spokesperson Dara Acusar said they have yet to look into how the PDAF that was deposited in the coffers of the provincial government will be spent.

Garcia can identify the beneficiaries for the fund but Acusar said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), has given the acting governor authority to plan and manage the disbursement of these funds.