Aquino: time to abolish PDAF

Backtracking from his previous stance, President Benigno Aquino says it’s time to abolish the much maligned Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). In a speech aired live nationwide on Friday, Aquino says an overhauled pork barrel system will replace the PDAF. This comes after media reports on the alleged systematic siphoning of lawmakers’ funds and a state audit report showing at least 192 lawmakers misused P6.1 billion of pork barrel. Days ago, the President stood firm on keeping the pork, saying not all lawmakers misuse their funds. The announcement comes 3 days before the anti-pork barrel rallies planned by various sectors in Metro Manila and key cities across the country. The President also orders the creation of an Inter-Agency, Anti-Graft Coordinating Council (IAAGCC), which will investigate alleged misuse of pork barrel.

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