MANILA, Philippines – Disgust.

This was the word used by President Benigno Aquino III to describe his reaction to the report released by the Commission on Audit (COA) on Friday, August 16 which detailed irregularities in lawmakers’ disbursements of their pork barrel.

“My initial impression? How do I describe it — disgust? The problem is you really should be angered. But as President, I cannot act on this with anger or with soreness, I always need to act accordingly,” he told reporters on Wednesday, August 21.

“There were really people who abused it. They really pocketed the funds. They did not even let those in need taste a bit of it. Who wouldn’t be disgusted with that?”

He said the money could have helped “decrease the suffering of our countrymen.”

The COA report showed P6.156 billion worth of pork barrel was channeled to non-government organizations (NGOs) which misused the funds.

But it carried one glaring error: its claim that former Compostela Valley Rep and now Vice Gov. Manuel “Way Kurat” received P3-B in pork barrel from 2007-2009. The Department of Budget and Management has already admitted it was a mistake; the P3-B went to the Department of Public Works and Highways. 

‘I’m listening’

The pork barrel controversy has spawned online protests that have turned into a mobilization plan for an August 26 rally at the Luneta.

Aquino, who is against the abolition of the pork barrel, gave assurances he’s willing to listen to other voices. “I’m listening to various opinions. Of course what we want is to perfect the system. But just a reminder, all this [abuse] happened in the last administration, which had different policies from us,” he said.

The COA report focused on the years 2007-2009, during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Aquino also reiterated his commitment to punish lawmakers involved in the scam, adding the list of lawmakers who could possibly face charge “is quite long.”

The special audit, which took two years to complete, said 12 senators and 180 representatives used their pork barrel through questionable means. – Rappler.com