UNA to Abad: Reveal projects funded by DAP

Projects funded by the Disbursement Acceleration Program are now being questioned following the Supreme Court decision to strike down the controversial measure. The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) wants Budget Secretary Butch Abad to disclose the list of DAP-funded projects.

Spy games?

UNA Secretary General, Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco believes part of the DAP may have been used to serve political ends. In particular, he alleged that the purchase of high radio frequency gadgets worth millions may have been used to spy on the opposition.

But an Aquino ally says the claim is baseless.

Nevertheless, Tiango said, “They did not deny that they bought the gadget, they just denied spying on the opposition. Pero since 2012 pa nabili yung gadget na iyon, so saan ginamit kundi sa pangespiya sa opposition. Under the wiretapping act, you have to get a court order to use wiretapping equipment. My challenge to them is, ipakita yung in-apply niyong court order para gamitin yung wiretapping equipment, kasi never dineny. Kung sinabing hindi ginamit sa opposition, kanino ginamit, sa kalaban ng gobyerno? NPA o terrorist? Feeling masyadong importante na yata ang opposition para espiyahan pa ng administrasyon. Parang 2016 na lagi. Maybe the secretary can answer that in an executive session.”

Tiangco added that they plan to bring up the matter during the next round of budget hearings for 2015.

Abad asserts there is no truth to the allegation that DAP funds were used to buy spying gadgets, adding the executive is still studying legal options regarding DAP.

The Binay issue

But Caloocan Representative Edgar Erice, a member of the Liberal Party, pointed out that no less than Vice-President Jejomar Binay and the agencies he heads also benefited from DAP. This allegedly includes an estimated P11.4B for housing projects for informal settlers.

“It went to NGC. NHA, I dont think any project with that magnitude makakalusot. Ang board chairman ay Vice President at alam nya galing sa DAP,” Erice said.

Tiangco countered, “Ang NHA under the operation, supervision, and control of the office of the President, kaya sa attempt na idawit si Vice President Binay, lalong na-canal si PNoy dito.  The GM is Chito Cruz who is the classmate of Pnoy, kaya lalong na-canal, eh ngayon sasabihin na DAP. Kung yung mismong constitution nilabag, anong ebidensyang pinakita na kay Binay iyan direkta at di pinaimplement kay Chito Cruz?”

“P10B was given to NHA, approved a list of projects, Vice President Binay hindi alam na DAP pinirmahan niya?,” Erice responded.

Erice went on to say that critics should not rush into judgment or impeachment moves and just wait for government’s justification on the use of DAP.

For his part, Tiangco said, “I think the President and Secretary Abad will show good faith. Yung pumirma ng impeachment sa Congress at yung reward sa nag-convict kay Corona, good faith at good intention ba yun when it was a bribe? There is never good intention sa bribery.”

UP faculty’s demand

The University Council of UP Diliman calls on the Aquino administration to be accountable in light of the Supreme Court ruling on DAP.

The council says while the plea of good faith has been repeatedly invoked to defend the program, Aquino himself filed a Senate Bill in 2009 which sought to control presidential prerogative over the national budget.

The council also called on the public to remain vigilant to ensure a thorough investigation into the use of public funds.

“May pagkakahati yung faculty namin pero may malinaw na tindig na dapat may managot doon sa nangyari at siguraduhin na may transparency and accountability sa Aquino government,” University of the Philippines Professor Danilo Arao.

The UP faculty also supports the impeachment complaints against Aquino even though political analysts have said it will not prosper.

“Hindi to usapin ng posibilidad o imposibilidad, dapat malaman ng tao ang katotohanan,” Arao says.

Syjuco’s claim

Meanwhile, former Iloilo Representative Augusto Syjuco says President Aquino commmitted the ultimate betrayal of public trust for approving the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

Syjuco, who filed the second impeachment complaint against the President. cited direct and indirect bribery of public officials in his complaint.

Syjuco accused the President of using the DAP to reward senators for the ouster of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

“Sa totoo, siya ang pinakamalaking taksil kasi siya ang nag-induce sa mga ito, directly or indirectly na tumanggap ng suhol,” Syjuco said.

The first impeachment complaint against Aquino was filed by lawyer Oliver Lozano, but jumpstarting the impeachment process requires the endorsement of a sitting member of Congress.

Meanwhile, militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan will file a third impeachment complaint against the President.

Party-list group Bayan Muna says it will endorse the complaint.

“Si President Aquino at kami, in-oppose na namin yan (DAP). So hindi pwedeng sabihin ni President Aquino na hindi nya alam ang DAP. So hindi siya pwedeng mag-claim ng good faith,” Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares said.