Coloma on DAP, Abad: Aquino not hiding anything

MANILA, Philippines – Two days after President Benigno Aquino III rejected the resignation of Budget Secretary Butch Abad, Malacañang denied allegations that the latter had control over the President.

In a press briefing on Sunday, July 13, Palace Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma denied that the President was hiding something that’s why he couldn’t let Abad go.

“There is no basis and no truth to those allegations. The President has spoken about that, and in his speech tomorrow night, the public will better understand the President’s considerations about these current issues,” Coloma added.

Aquino is set to address the nation on Monday, July 14.

Abad earlier said he was taking full responsibility over the controversy surrounding the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), a day after offering to quit his post.

The controversial spending program allowed for the movement of funds from slow-moving projects to fast-disbursing ones. The government defended the initiative, saying it has benefited Filipinos and helped fast-track economic growth.

But the High Court, voting 13-0-1, declared as unconstitutional the following schemes:

• The creation of savings prior to the end of the fiscal year and the withdrawal of these funds for implementing agencies
• The cross-border transfers of the savings from one department to another
• The allotment of funds for projects, activities, and programs not outlined in the General Appropriations Act

Coloma also said the government was still in the process of consolidating reports from different agencies, amid calls for the release of the list of projects funded under the DAP.

The secretary said the government would soon be ready to release a report detailing how the money allocated under DAP was spent.

“We are asking government agencies to submit updated status reports on how they spent the funds, how much have been spent, and if there were any savings left over. Once the report is done, we will be ready to release a report to the public so they will know how the money was spent,” Coloma said.

Coloma also said the President has read the High Court’s decision on the DAP, as well as the separate concurring and dissenting opinions of the magistrates.

He said Aquino has discussed the issue with his Cabinet members to form the government’s response to the court decision.

Coloma denied the government was in “panic mode” over the public furor over the DAP.

“The Supreme Court decision is part of our process of democracy…The government is fully determined and committed to continue serving our countrymen and to fulfill the President’s social contract with the Filipino people,” he added. – Rappler.com