COA: Marikina misused pork, DAP in 2013 By Michael Punongbayan, The Philippine Star , Posted Aug. 12 2014 at 18:45 GMT +08 MANILA, Philippines - The city government of Marikina reportedly misused some P1.986 million in congressional pork barrel and Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) funds last year, according to a recently released Commission on Audit (COA) report. The state auditors said the money was spent for purposes other that for which they were intended. Of the total amount, P933,955 came from priority development assistance fund (PDAF) allocations while P1,052,394 was sourced from DAP funds. The COA directed city officials, led by Mayor Del de Guzman, to return or refund the money to the local government unit’s (LGU) general fund. Paul Sison, the city government’s public information office chief, said the case has been settled – the funds were “not misused” and Marikina was “wrongly charged.” “We’ve remitted the (money) immediately to the National Treasury as instructed and following the COA recommendation,” he said. Marikina’s pork barrel funds was supposed to be used for vehicle purchases, financial assistance to indigent and displaced families, families in crisis situations, community organizations, and civic and community activities like financial assistance, burial assistance, medical assistance, “balik probinsya” transportation assistance, educational assistance, and other anti-poverty assistance programs. However, the COA said the money was used for printing of tarpaulin signs for various activities, procurement of shirts as assistance to various organizations, office supplies, spare parts, and mass cards. State auditors said the city government spent the DAP funds – meant for support and financial assistance to indigents and displaced families, families in crisis situations, community organizations, civic and community activities, and sports development programs – on spare parts, office and other supplies, various appliances for gift giving, health benefit package for employees of national office and other supplies for various activities. – With Non Alquitran http://authoring-2wsxzaq1.abs-cbn.com/news/metro-manila/stories/ 2014/08/13/coa-marikina-misused-pork-dap-in-2013
Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
COA: Marikina misused pork, DAP in 2013By Michael Punongbayan,The Philippine Star,Posted Aug. 12 2014 at 18:45 GMT +08MANILA, Philippines - The city government of Marikina reportedly misused some P1.986 million in congressional pork barrel and Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) funds last year, according to a recently released Commission on Audit (COA) report.The state auditors said the money was spent for purposes other that for which they were intended.Of the total amount, P933,955 came from priority development assistance fund (PDAF) allocations while P1,052,394 was sourced from DAP funds.The COA directed city officials, led by Mayor Del de Guzman, to return or refund the money to the local government units (LGU) general fund.Paul Sison, the city governments public information office chief, said the case has been settled the funds were not misused and Marikina was wrongly charged.Weve remitted the (money) immediately to the National Treasury as instructed and following the COA recommendation, he said.Marikinas pork barrel funds was supposed to be used for vehicle purchases, financial assistance to indigent and displaced families, families in crisis situations, community organizations, and civic and community activities like financial assistance, burial assistance, medical assistance, balik probinsya transportation assistance, educational assistance, and other anti-poverty assistance programs.However, the COA said the money was used for printing of tarpaulin signs for various activities, procurement of shirts as assistance to various organizations, office supplies, spare parts, and mass cards.State auditors said the city government spent the DAP funds meant for support and financial assistance to indigents and displaced families, families in crisis situations, community organizations, civic and community activities, and sports development programs on spare parts, office and other supplies, various appliances for gift giving, health benefit package for employees of national office and other supplies for various activities. With Non Alquitranhttp://authoring-2wsxzaq1.abs-cbn.com/news/metro-manila/stories/2014/08/13/coa-marikina-misused-pork-dap-in-2013
Speaker not keen on higher supplemental budgetBy RG Cruz,ABS-CBN News,Posted Dec. 09 2014 at 09:06 GMT +08MANILA - It turns out the biggest critic of the proposed 2014 supplemental budget may not even come from the opposition.House Speaker Sonny Belmonte laughed at the proposal of the Executive to seek an even higher supplemental budget than the P22.47 billion initially filed before Congress.In November, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced plans to submit a P23-billion supplemental budget "to ensure sufficient funding support for crucial development initiatives, including various infrastructure projects for post-Yolanda rehabilitation and government preparations for the 2015 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit."This amount was trimmed before the bill was filed in consultation with the House.However, Budget Secretary Butch Abad on Tuesday bared plans to increase this, following the discovery of more funds that can be used.Asked about it, Belmonte thought it was funny and said he will not encourage it."They have all this time to think about it, they have given us budget. We cannot keep on changing budgets. Nakakatawa naman yung dalawang bill. I would discourage it. Ako natatawa, natatawa ako... Just because they found new money, they will increase. Di naman tama yun," Belmonte said."The bill has general description. They are expected to give us information. We pass this if they want to change some of items with equally qualified items, pero kung dadagdagan pa yan di ako papayag."Belmonte also admitted that the supplemental budget was devised to prevent liabilities from unpaid obligations arising from the Supreme Court striking out the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) and the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF)."DAP, PDAF calamity projects which were hampered or stopped by two SC decisions, this is the curative bill... We provide for unfinished or already finished but unpaid PDAF and DAP projects, yun ang major description of what it is," he said."Remember, Congress had to give up second half of PDAF, napunta sa Yolanda yun. They were not able to fund all of it. You cannot increase... Supplemental budget was supposed to cover projects under DAP and PDAF which were obligated and paid. To protect ourselves from lawsuits, they have to be paid for," he added.The supplemental budget is one of the House's three priorities for approval before going on Christmas vacation. The others being the 2015 national budget and the emergency powers resolution for President Benigno Aquino III.Belmonte said, "There's a list of musts we've agreed on with the Senate. Meron din namang mas must which we should approve before we go on Christmas break -- national budget, the emergency power and the supplemental budget, those three. And to be very frank, despite fact of matter is before onset of typhoon, we approved so many important bills on 3rd reading. It's just we want to keep up our record of all our national budgets approved on time."http://authoring-2wsxzaq1.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/stories/2014/12/09/speaker-not-keen-on-higher-supplemental-budget
Supplemental budget violates Constitution: lawmaker By RG Cruz,ABS-CBN News,Posted Dec. 11 2014 at 14:05 GMT +08MANILA - Congressmen on Thursday began plenary deliberations on the P22.47-billion supplemental budget, with one lawmaker claiming that the proposed budget violates the constitutional prohibition against the transfer of appropriations and the Supreme Court (SC) ruling outlawing the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).The supplemental budget will be funded from government's excess revenues from Bureau of Treasury investments and dividends from government companies -- about P28 billion.Critics, however, pointed out that based on the SC ruling on the DAP, excess revenues should be computed from all of government's different revenue sources instead of just these two revenue sources.The DAP ruling states that unprogrammed funds in the annual budget can only be tapped when there are excess revenues from all of government's revenue sources.Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares said, "Yung supplemental budget bill is the implementation of DAP-like budgeting -- income maging savings... It violates Constitution, sabi no law shall be passed transferring appropriations. Itong income naka-allocate na P80-billion Yolanda fund, unprogrammed fund. Parang trinansfer mo appropriations from Yolanda to PDAF, DAP, other DAP transformation plan na dapat unahin Yolanda."Colmenares said these should have instead been inputted into the regular budgets. "It's their fault kung di nila nilagay in the first place. Hindi justified ang kanilang paghugot ng income."Colmenares also pointed out that the extra income from the dividends and investments were meant to plug the government's budget deficit. Approving it means government will have to borrow again.He shared the point raised by appropriations committee vice chair Rolando Andaya, a former budget secretary, who asked sponsor Isidro Ungab on the floor of the plenary about the impact of the supplemental budget on the 2015 budget."Here's a unique situation funded from 2014 extra earnings. But since fiscal books will close December 31, P22 billion earmarked will not be used this year; it has been booked this year but to be used next year. That will equate to decrease deficit by P22 billion for next year since no additional P22 billion in revenues booked already," Andaya said."My question is this: What's the correlation of supplemental with appropriation act of 2015 specifically on unprogrammed funds? You have now two spending bills 2015, one of sources unprogrammed is additional. Can't we just use unprogrammed funds anytime there's excess or should there been after excess P22 billion to cover supplemental?"Ungab responded, "The unprogrammed funds for 2014 cannot be activated because of special provision there in as well as SC ruling on DAP which is very clear on last dispositive portion which says unprogrammed can be activated when you get totality of all revenues. As to effect of P22 billion we believe budget deficit is manageable."Kabataan Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon also grilled Ungab on the same points."Isn't it a misnomer to say there are available funds when there is none? Have we not learned anything from SC decision on DAP? We cannot construe surplus in one revenue source as justification that targets have been exceeded," he said.Ungab told Ridon, "As to why we have to come back to the House in respect or in as an act of prudence or following SC decision because SC decision is very clear that the total revenues should exceed a totality, the total target and not individual targeted revenue. But if we do that those figures will come only at end of year in order to gather all reports from all agencies."Ungab maintained the proposal does not violate anything. "I believe there is enough basis for the passage of supplemental budget. Supplemental budget supported by actual funds available as certified by national treasurer, Congress can exercise its power of the purse by approving in its wisdom."He gave assurances that the supplemental budget will not have an errata or amendment that will increase it."We have made it a point no more errata or amendment that will be introduced if ever there is such it will be in committee report. Although as our rules would allow during period of amendments, an amendment can be introduced by plenary. But as to level of committee which I head, we are bound to maintain P22.467 billion. Senate can no longer increase this amount as well."Aside from this, critics also pointed out that about 1/3 of the proposed budget will fund DAP and PDAF funded projects that were affected when these two programs were outlawed by the Supreme Court."Total funding sa DAP P5.779 billion. Para sa PDAF P1.849 billion. Total is P7.6 billion. About 1/3 of supplemental, equal to fund for Yolanda. Di na lang bigay sa Yolanda, bakit?" Colmenares said.He feels the victims of Yolanda are being used to deodorize the DAP and PDAF component of the supplemental budget. "They're using misery of victims of Yolanda to justify their requirements. Prangkahin niyo na lang kami."Previously, Budget Secretary Butch Abad identified that 10 of the 26 programs initially proposed under the supplemental budget were from the DAP.Department of Interior and Local Government, Bureau of Fire Protection - transition investment support plan, ARMM procurement of 33 fire trucks: P199,167,000DILG Office of the Secretary - operational transformation plan for the Philippine National Police: P2,833,282,000Department of Justice - transfer of Quezon City prosecutors and public attorney's offices: P5,200,000Department of Science and Technology Digi E-fund ICT hardware for government: P300,000,000Department of Public Works and Highways - completion of development assistance to the province of Quezon: P240,000,000House of Representatives - completion of the legislative library and archives building/congressional e-library: P250,000,000Light Rail Transit Authority - rehabilitation of the LRT 1 and 2: P977,690,000National Housing Authority implementation of the north triangle relocation project: P286,702,000Philippine Coconut Authority - coconut scale insect emergency action plan: P340,345,000Philippine Fisheries Development Authority construction of fishport, lighthouses and seawalls: P196,385,000The bill as submitted to plenary still proposes a P22.47-billion budget but it is one project less. The funding for the Supreme Court's enterprise information system plan -- P715,360,000 -- was realigned to two other items in the proposed budget:DPWH obligations arising from implemented infrastructure projects adjusted from P1,849,150,000 to P1,902,744,124 and DSWD emergency shelter for victims of typhoon Yolanda adjusted from P1.5 billion to P2,161,765,876.A large chunk of the supplemental budget funds the requirements of the victims of typhoon Yolanda. This, as government continues to deal with previous requirements of Yolanda and the requirements of other disasters.On Tuesday, Abad said the Executive will propose more Yolanda-related projects for inclusion into the budget, but the House panel voted to keep the existing budget bill at P22.47 billion, citing constitutional provisions that bar Congress from increasing whatever the Executive proposes.Abad had said that the plan to add more projects was because government found the excess revenues.http://authoring-2wsxzaq1.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/stories/2014/12/11/supplemental-budget-violates-constitution_-lawmakerHouse leaders rebut Bayan on DAP-funded flood projectsBy RG Cruz,ABS-CBN News,Posted Oct. 09 2014 at 09:07 GMT +08
MANILA - House leaders disputed questions made by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) on how lawmakers used their Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) funds for flood control projects following the flooding in the metropolis in the past few days.In a statement on Thursday, Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said he does not know where Bayan got its information that he identified P62 million of flood control projects in Mandaluyong.Gonzales said based on his records, the money was not allotted solely for flood control projects, but was broken down as follows:1. Scholarships: P 5 million2. Counterpart for PhilHealth Premium: P3 million3. Repair of government facilities (PNP/Jails): P3 million4. Rehabilitation/maintenance of schools: P8 million5. Rice subsidy: P5 million6. Repair/rehabilitation of roads (concreting) of different barangays: P20.8 millionHe said only two projects can be said to be related to flood control:7. Dredging of Buhangin and Maytunas Creeks: P8 million8. Declogging of canals in 13 barangays: P9.2 millionOut of item no. 4, only P5,226,678 was implemented. The balance of P2,773,322 was returned to the Bureau of Treasury.Out of item no. 6, the P20.8 million funded the following:a. Concreting of Block 6 Road, Barangay Addition Hills: P13,608,766b. Concreting of Lerma Extension: P708,227c. Concreting Block 6 Road: P5,488,270The total of A, B and C projects is P19,805,263, thereby leaving a balance of P994,739, which was returned to the Bureau of Treasury.Out of item no. 7, only the following funds were utilized:a. Dredging of Buhangin Creek: P3,017,830b. Dredging of Maytunas Creek: P927,340The total of A and B is P3,945,170. Out of the P8 million, there was a balance of P4,054,830, which was again returned to the Bureau of Treasury.Moreover, the entire amount of P9.2 million for item no. 8 was never utilized or implemented since this was part of what was returned to the Bureau of Treasury."It is clear therefore that out of the total projects amounting to P62 million, only P28,977,109 were utilized. The balance of P33,022,891 (including the entire amount of item nos. 1, 2, 3, 5, and the balance/unutilized amount of item nos. 4, 6, 7 and 8) were part of the amount of almost P180 million which were reverted back by the LGU to the Bureau of Treasury (on June and August this year) because of the SC (Supreme Court) decision on PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund) and DAP cases," Gonzales said."I repeat again that I have no knowledge that the above mentioned projects were funded by DAP," he added.'FLOOD PHOTOS UNFAIR'"It was likewise unfair to have posted the picture of the flood situation in the Maysilo/Boni Ave. without knowing the true state of the ongoing flood control project therein. Let me emphasize that the ongoing project for the Boni-Maysilo including its peripheral areas is thru my initiative although it is being funded and implemented by the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways)," he said.He said the project, worth a little less than P1 billion, was started by the DPWH in the first quarter of 2013. It is estimated to be finished by 2016."It was also very unfair and misleading because it was pictured as if the P62 million allotted to me was solely for the purpose of flood control projects only, which (as I itemized above) is clearly not," Gonzales said.He noted that he also has hard projects like the construction of additional classrooms, rehabilitation of schools, multi-purpose buildings including barangay halls, daycare centers and health centers, the 10-storey building of the Rizal Technological University, and the 5-storey Justice Hall building that can accommodate 18 courts, a post office and Comelec office.Previously, House Speaker Sonny Belmonte also said, "the flood control portion consists only of P26.3 million used for concreting and drainage improvement of various streets in my district. Wala naman flooding in these streets because of good drainage."BIGGEST SHARE?Based on their study of the budget department's records of the DAP, Bayan claimed that flood control projects ranked second biggest among the various projects funded by the P12.9 billion DAP of lawmakers and local politicians.Senators, congressmen and local officials spent P1.2 billion for various flood control projects nationwide.The DPWH also had its own DAP-funded flood control projects separate from the projects endorsed by lawmakers.The group cited the highest House leaders, Belmonte and Gonzales.They claimed Gonzales spent P62 million of his DAP funds for flood control projects but netizens posted videos of flooded areas in his district, while Belmonte spent P95 million of his DAP also for flood-related projects."It is high time that a proper accounting and audit of all these so-called flood control projects be undertaken by the national government. Hundreds of millions of pesos from the DAP and even the PDAF were used for flood projects, yet every time heavy rains pour, Metro Manila is flooded, traffic is a standstill, and commuters and motorists suffer," said Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes.http://authoring-2wsxzaq1.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/stories/2014/10/09/house-leaders-rebut-bayan-on-dap-funded-flood-projects
Stricter measures on savings, lump sums in Senate-approved 2015 budgetBy Ryan Chua,ABS-CBN News,Posted Nov. 26 2014 at 13:23 GMT +08
MANILA - The Senate has put in place stricter measures on when and how government agencies may declare savings and avail of lump sum amounts in its version of the 2015 national budget following criticisms.
Voting 13-0, the Senate approved the P2.6-trillion spending plan on Wednesday night after a week of marathon deliberations.
Senator Francis Escudero, chairman of the finance committee, said the budget complies with Supreme Court rulings striking down as unconstitutional the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel and the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).
Under the Senate-approved budget, savings may only be declared when funds have been released.
The finance committee also deleted the provision that savings may be declared "at any time" following Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiagos suggestion. However, government agencies need not wait for the end of a year to declare savings if: it is not the agencys fault a project, program, or activity did not push through; an agency is able to save money from through lower operating costs.
The Senate budget bill also prohibits the cross-border transfer of savings from the executive to other government agencies.
"Kung ang mga ito malaman mo sa simula o kalagitnaan pa lang ng taon, hindi mo na kailangan hintayin yung katapusan ng taon dahil hindi na talaga ma-implement eh, Escudero told reporters before the budgets approval."Our definition of savings is compliant and will be compliant with the Supreme Court decision on DAP."
On Monday, Santiago slammed the new definition of savings in the budget bill that Malacaang submitted to Congress as unspent funds from projects that were terminated at any time of the year.
She also criticized lump sum items worth P37 billion for five government agencies that she said are remnants of the PDAF or pork barrel, which the Supreme Court had declared illegal.
Escudero had defended the budget as free from pork barrel, saying government agencies will eventually be required detailed or itemized lists of projects that will be funded by the lump sums.
The budget measure also prohibits legislators from submitting project proposals using the lump sum amounts after its approval.
In other words, yung pagiging lump sum na iyon, flexibility lamang sa parte ng administrasyon, pero bago nila magamit at ma-access yun, kelangan magsumite sila ng itemized listing sa Kongreso, said Escudero.
Bawal makialam post enactment ang sinumang mambabatas sa pagpapatupad ng anumang proyekto either collectively, individually, he added.
The Senate-approved budget increased the funding of Congress by P333 million to restore the 2014 budgetary levels and to take inflation into account:the Department of Education by P1.1 billion for additional school buildings;state universities and colleges by P529 million as additional subsidies for capital outlay and scholarships;the Department of Finance by P95 million for the Bureau of Customs modernization program;the Department of Foreign Affairs by P85 million for increased legal assistance for overseas Filipino workers;the Department of Health by P278 million for the purchase of equipment and assistance to patients in various hospitals;the Department of Justice by P100 million for the rehabilitation of halls of justices, as well as increases in the budget of the National Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Corrections.
The following offices got budget increases:the Department of National Defense, P93 million for the improvement, renovation, and construction of enlisted personnels barracks;the Department of Labor and Employment, P6.5 million for the National Labor Relations Commissions additional maintenance and other operating expenses;the Department of Public Works and Highways, P1.7 billion for constructing roads and bridges leading to tourist sites and other infrastructure projects,the Department of Trade and Industry, P100 million for supporting small and medium-scale businesses, and the Department of Science and Technology, P5 million.
The bill also has provisions penalizing people who fail to comply with its reportorial requirements, allowing monetary support for athletes competing even in competitions not sanctioned by the Philippine Olympic Committee, ordering the DPWH to consult stakeholders infrastructure projects that may impinge on heritage sites, requiring the backtracking of government agencies accomplishments, and governing the disaggregation of lump sums, among others.
The social sector has the biggest share of the budget with P967.9 billion, followed by economic services with P700.2 billion, general public services with P423.1 billion, debt burden with P339.4 billion, and defense with P115.5 billion.
The bicameral conference committee that will reconcile the Senate and House versions of the measure will convene from November 28 to December 2.
Congress leaders are expected to sign the final version of the budget measure either on December 17 or 18.http://authoring-2wsxzaq1.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/stories/2014/11/26/stricter-measures-on-savings-lump-sums-in-senate-approved-2015-budget
2015 budget is the most detailed to date, says RectoBy Ryan Chua,ABS-CBN News,Posted Nov. 18 2014 at 10:50 GMT +08
MANILA - The Senate has begun plenary discussions on the P2.6-trillion national budget for 2015, with the finance committee promising reforms following the Supreme Courts rulings against the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).
Underscoring Congress' so-called power of the purse, Senate finance committee chair Francis Escudero on Tuesday presented the Senates version of the budget on the floor to jumpstart deliberations that are expected to take two weeks.
Adjustments will have to be made by Congress to correct and rectify things, and certain processes will have to be implemented to hasten and facilitate the implementation of projects without violating the Supreme Court decision, and yet without impairing the executive branchs need for flexibility in the budget execution phasejust like treading a veritable tightrope, if I may say so, Escudero said in his sponsorship speech.
If and when these adjustments are affected, only then can we perhaps say that the legislative power of the purse is a myth no more.
Taking off from the SC ruling declaring the PDAF unconstitutional, the 2015 General Appropriations Bill is the most detailed national budget to date, said Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto.Recto lauded the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for itemizing lump sums in the budget.
They have labored to itemize what can possibly be so, so that the NEP (National Expenditure Program), for example, looks like a construction guide, he said in his separate sponsorship speech. The perspicacity by which details are spelled out in this budget is simply astounding.
In compliance with the SC ruling on DAP, the Senates version prohibits the cross-border transfer of savings from the executive to other branches of government.
It defines a government agencys savings as amounts that have been released but not spent. The House version, in contrast, does not require that amounts be released first before they can be declared as savings.
To ensure fiscal responsibility, the Senate bill states that amounts not released because of an agencys fault shall not be considered savings.
The Senate bill also provides that savings may not be used to augment programs, activities, or projects through the use of appropriations not authorized in the budget.
Under the Senates version of the General Appropriations Bill, realignments within and between agencies amount to P91 million.
Among the programs that will get major increases are the rehabilitation and reconstruction program for disasters like Typhoon "Yolanda" (P19 billion); the Department of Educations feeding program, Quick Response Fund, and chalk allowance (P3.64 billion); free wi-fi internet in public places to be sourced from the Digitization Empowerment Program, (P2.67 billion); hospital modernization for the Philippine Childrens Medical Center (P1 billion); the Supreme Courts enterprise information system plan (P715.36 million); jail facilities (P108.91 million); and social pension for indigent senior citizens (P2.92 billion).
The social sector has the biggest share of the budget with P967.9 billion, followed by economic services with P700.2 billion, general public services with P423.1 billion, debt burden with P339.4 billion, and defense with P115.5 billion.
Among government agencies, the Department of Education has the highest budget at P365.1 billion. The Department of Public Works and Highways has P300.5 billion; the Department of National Defense, P144 billion; Department of the Interior and Local Government, P141.4 billion; Department of Social Welfare and Development, P109 billion; Department of Health, P102.2 billion; Department of Agriculture, P88.8 billion, Department of Transportation and Communications, P59 billion; Department of Environment and Natural Resources, P21.3 billion; and Department of Science and Technology, P19.4 billion.
Based on the finance committees schedule, the budget will be passed on final reading on November 26. The bicameral conference committee that will reconcile the Senate and House versions of the measure will convene from November 28 to December 2.
Congress leaders are expected to sign the final version of the budget measure either on December 17 or 18.http://authoring-2wsxzaq1.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/stories/2014/11/18/2015-budget-is-the-most-detailed-to-date-says-recto
Palace PNoy critics can go to courtBy Delon Porcalla,The Philippine Star,Posted Aug. 12 2014 at 18:59 GMT +08
MANILA, Philippines - There is legal redress for critics of President Aquino if they really believe he has retained pork barrel allocation in the proposed 2015 budget in defiance of a Supreme Court ruling against the fund, Press Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said yesterday.Coloma was reacting to allegations made by the group of party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio that pork barrel funds were hidden in the 2015 budget.The lawmaker presented as evidence audiotapes of a House executive session where Health Undersecretary Janette Garin and Commission on Higher Education chief Patricia Licuanan supposedly admitted the existence of pork allocation in next years budget.Coloma could not categorically say, however, if there really is still pork in the budget program for next year.The 2014 national budget was enacted in a lawful manner and the executive branch followed the dictates of the law as well as what the Supreme Court had ruled on that, Coloma said. And Congress followed the ruling of Supreme Court in passing the budget program.Coloma also scoffed at suggestions that the audio recording of a House executive session by Tinios group was done in good faith, or the same excuse made by the administration in releasing funds through the discredited Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).Malayo na yata iyong narating ng iyong katanungan (your question is way off the mark), Coloma said when asked if Tinio and the other lawmakers may have had the interest of transparency in mind when they made audio recording of an executive session.Meanwhile, Licuanan denied yesterday allegations that the agency had connived with lawmakers in retaining the pork barrel fund, officially called Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).In a statement, Licuanan stressed that there are no PDAF funds being handled by CHED.Licuanan decried as baseless Tinios claims that she and other government officials are perpetuating in secret the now unconstitutional PDAF to gain favor from lawmakers so as not to impeach the President.Licuanan said CHED has supplemental funds amounting to P4.1 billion this year for scholarships and grants.Last March 10, CHED issued policies on the use of the supplemental funds in keeping with the SC decision against PDAF and with the GAA 2014 provisions on scholarships, Licuanan emphasized.She said the CHED resident auditor has also been apprised of the guidelines and has been strictly monitoring their implementation.Funds for this financial assistance is referred to as Tulong Dunong and has been provided to the CHED as part of its GAA allotment this year, she said.Licuanan said the scholarship funds would be distributed in accordance with the modes set in the guidelines: directly to student beneficiaries, through the colleges or universities where they are enrolled, through bank transfer, or through funds obligated to state universities and colleges or other higher education institutions.Given the substantial increase in funding allotment for scholarships and grants and in keeping with the constitutional policy of providing access to quality education for all, the commission prepared guidelines for the use of these funds and subjected them to internal consultations with its bureaucracy and, subsequently, with various education stakeholders that included representatives of Congress, she said. With Helen Floreshttp://authoring-2wsxzaq1.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/stories/2014/08/13/palace-pnoy-critics-can-go-to-court
PDAF is alive and wellBy Inday Espina-Varona,for ABS-CBN News,Posted Aug. 11 2014 at 15:48 GMT +08Oo, Juana, kailangan mo pa ding lumuhod kay Kong.Nang nilabas ng Korte Suprema ang desisyon na nagsasabing unconstitutional ang Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), sinabi ng gobyerno ni Pangulong Benigno Simeon Aquino III na patay na ang pork.Sinabi din kasi ng Korte Suprema na PERMANENTE ang desisyon. Ang hindi pa nagagastos na PDAF ay dapat bumalik sa pangkalahatang pondo ng bayan.Kahit nitong Hulyo lang, inulit ng mga kaalyado ni Pangulong Aquino na patay na ang pork barrel, kaya di na daw kailangan ng isang batas mula sa taumbayan o Peoples Initiative.Ito ang sinabi ni Senate President Franklin Drilon:Theres no necessity for it. The SC has declared it unconstitutional and thus the PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund) cannot be restored in the 2015 or future budgets and the Senate has deleted it in 2014.Pero itong transcript ng isang miting sa pagitan ni Health Undersecretary Garin (dating mambabatas) at mga myembro ng Kongreso, ay nagpapakita lamang na hindi sumunod ang gobyerno sa utos ng Korte Suprema. Tatalakayin ko ito pagkatapos malahad ang desisyon ng SC.Bakit nga ba pinagbawal ng SC ang PDAF? Sinabi nito na:- May kapangyarihan ang mga mambabatas na pumasa ng budget pero di na dapat sumawsaw pa sa kung saan ito mapunta pagkatapos ng pag-pasa ng batas.- Ang Executive Department na ang dapat na mag-patupad ng budget.- Hindi pwedeng makialam ang mga taga-Kongreso kung sino ang makakakuha ng pondo, proyekto or programa, dahil dapat nakasaad na ito sa budget.Heto ang desisyon ng SC:In view of the constitutional violations discussed in this Decision, the Court hereby declares as UNCONSTITUTIONAL: (a) the entire 2013 PDAF Article; (b) all legal provisions of past and present Congressional Pork Barrel Laws, such as the previous PDAF and CDF Articles and the various Congressional Insertions, which authorize/d legislatorswhether individually or collectively organized into committeesto intervene, assume or participate in any of the various post-enactment stages of the budget execution, such as but not limited to the areas of project identification, modification and revision of project identification, fund release and/or fund realignment, unrelated to the power of congressional oversight; (c) all legal provisions of past and present Congressional Pork Barrel laws, such as the previous PDAF and CDF Articles and the various Congressional Insertions, which confer/red personal, lump-sum allocations to legislators from which they are able to fund specific projects which they themselves determine; (d) all informal practices of similar import and effect, which the Court similarly deems to be acts of grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of discretion; and (e) the phrases (1) and for such other purposes as may be hereafter directed by the President under Section 8 of Presidential Decree No. 910 and (2) to finance the priority infrastructure development projects under Section 12 of PD 1869, as amended by PD 1993, for both failing the sufficient standard test in violation of the principle of non-delegability of legislative power.Noon, sinabi ni Budget Secretary Abad sa mga grupong kontra-pork na dapat matigil ang poder ng Kongreso na maghimasok sa pag-gamit ng pondo pagnapasa ang batas.Alam natin na hindi nila tinupad ito kasi namudmod din sila nga pera sa mga mambabatas sa ilalim ng Disbursement Acceleration Fund (DAP).Sa transcript ng miting nina Usec Garin at mga mambabatas, makikita ang totoong dahilan kung bakit kapit tuko sa PDAF ang mga pulitiko.http://authoring-2wsxzaq1.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/blogs/2014/08/11/pdaf-is-alive-and-wellPNoy faces fourth impeachment complaintBy ABS-CBN News,Posted Aug. 10 2014 at 09:11 GMT +08
MANILA -- President Benigno Aquino III is facing a fourth impeachment complaint, the latest development as the Justice committee prepares to start the proceedings this week.In a statement, ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio said: "We have strong evidence to show that Pres. Aquino is responsible for perpetuating Congressional pork despite the Supreme Court prohibition.Two of the impeachment complaints filed previously tackled the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), several acts under which were declared unconstitutional by the high court.As a lawmaker, Tinio endorsed the third complaint, which dealt on the supposedly blatant sellout of Philippine sovereignty to the United States through the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).""This time I am a direct complainant," Tinio said.He said the complaint will be anchored on the use of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), which the SC also pronounced unconstitutional. The complaint alleges that Aquino violated his oath of office by supposedly perpetuating the pork barrel.Kabataan Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, one of those who filed and endorsed a complaint, said he received information that the complaints may finally be referred to the Justice committee either on Monday or Tuesday this week.Despite these developments, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said President Benigno Aquino III is not bothered by the start of the impeachment proceedings against him.In an interview with radio dzRB, Coloma said Aquino is confident he has not done anything that would warrant an impeachment and removal from office.Hindi po nababahala ang Pangulo doon sa mga proceedings na yan dahil panatag naman po siya na wala siyang nagawang ano mang impeachable offense, he said.According to Coloma, it would be best to leave the process to the House of Representatives, which is mandated under the Constitution to assess and eventually proceed with impeaches cases with merits.Meron pong sinusunod na patakaran hinggil diyan at meron pong proseso ang ating Kamara sa pagturing sa ganyang mga usapin. Mas mainam po siguro na hintayin na lang natin ang iba pang mga kaganapang maaaring maganap hinggil diyan dahil iginagalang po ng ehekutibo yung pagiging hiwalay at kapantay na sangay ng pamahalaan ng ating Kongreso o batasan, he said.Coloma reminded lawmakers, however, that the passage of the 2015 budget is paramount.Malinaw namang nakasaad yung mga prayoridad ng pamahalaan. At katulad ng iniulat natin dito sa ating programa, nakipagpulong na si Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr. sa mga lider ng Kongreso kung saan ay ipinaalam niya yung mga priority legislative measures ng ating pamahalaan, unang-una na nga diyan yung pambansang budget para sa 2015 at yung ihahain na Bangsamoro Basic Law, at yun pang ibang mga priority measures na naunang inilahad na natin sa ating palatuntunan, he added.Aquinos popularity took a hit when the SC issued its decision on the DAP.Allies, however, moved to protect Aquino and said any impeachment complaint will not prosper.Meanwhile, several Aquino allies also started probing into the Judiciary Development Fund, which they said was SCs own pork.A campaign seeking another term for Aquino also made the rounds on social media.http://authoring-2wsxzaq1.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/stories/2014/08/10/pnoy-faces-fourth-impeachment-complaintBinay, Roxas offices among top supplemental budget recipientsBy RG Cruz,ABS-CBN News,Posted Dec. 01 2014 at 12:26 GMT +08
MANILA - Agencies under the control of Vice-President Jejomar Binay and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas are among the top intended recipients of the proposed supplemental budget for 2014.The National Housing Authority (NHA) under Binay will get almost P8 billion for the construction of permanent housing for victims of typhoon Yolanda.The Department of the Interior and Local Government, meanwhile, will get funds for the transition investment support plan ARMM procurement of 33 firetrucks (P199,167,000), as well as the operational transformation plan for the Philippine National Police(P2,833,282,000).Binay has declared plans to run for President in 2016 while Roxas is the presumptive bet of the administration Liberal Party.Leaders of the House of Representatives filed House Bill 5237 proposing a P22,467,608,000 supplemental budget for 2014 to make up for deficiencies left by the declaration of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) as unconstitutional.The supplemental budget seeks to fund urgent and important projects that cannot be funded by savings, or through the unprogrammed fund and are not funded under the 2014 national budget.The House of Representatives and the Supreme Court will also get additional funding under the supplemental budget.Some of the projects listed in the supplemental budget are:Bureau of Treasury - additional capital outlay and MOOE for the implementation of the treasury single account (P803,380,000).Bureau of Treasury-budgetary shortfall for transaction fees and charges as a result of the implementation of the treasury single account (P100, 407,000).Department of Environment and Natural Resources - hiring of 294 former rebels as forest guards under the national greening program as part of the joint peacebuilding effort of the DENR and OPAPP (P11,176,000).Department of Finance-Office of the Secretary - phase 2 of the renovation of the DOF-OSEC property (P32,224,000).DILG Bureau of Fire Protection - transition investment support plan, ARMM procurement of 33 firetrucks (P199,167,000).DILG Office of the Secretary-Operational Transformation plan for the PNP (P2,833,282,000).DOJ - transfer of Quezon City Prosecutors and Public Attorneys' offices (P5,200,000).DOST Digi E-fund ICT hardware for government (P300,000,000).DPWH - obligations arising from implemented infrastructure projects (P1,849,150,000).DPWH - completion of development assistance to the province of Quezon (P240,000,000).DPWH - construction of the new Bohol provincial capitol (P350,000,000).DPWH - retrofitting of the Presidential Management Staff office building (P210,000,000).DSWD - updating of the National Household targetting system for poverty reduction (P1,942,521,000).DSWD - emergency shelter assistance for victims of Typhoon Yolanda (P1,500,000,000)DOTC Office of the Secretary - Metro Rail Transit 3 rehabilitation and capacity extension (P957,163,000).HRET - completion of the legislative library and archives building/congressional e-library (P250,000,000).LRT - rehabilitation of the LRT 1 and 2 (P977,690,000).Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority - construction of the Mactan Cebu International Airport VIP lounge building (P117,000,000).Metropolitan Manila Development Authority - closure of the San Mateo sanitary landfill (P178,000,000).NEA - installation substation in Sto. Domingo, Albay, P32,600,000.NHA - construction of permanent housing for victims of typhoon Yolanda (P7,999,856,000).NHA - implementation of the North Triangle Relocation Project (P286,702,000).PCA - coconut scale insect emergency action plan (P340,345,000).Philippine Fisheries Development Authority - Construction of fishport, lighthouses, and seawalls (P196,385,000).PIDS - provision of rent of office space during pendency of construction of PIDS new building (P40,000,000).Supreme Court and the lower courts - enterprise information system plan of the Supreme Court (P715,360,000).Makabayan lawmakers, however, slammed the proposal for a supplemental budget for 2014, with Kabataan Rep. Terry Rridon calling it a "last-ditch effort" to save the unconstitutional DAP.Ridon wants to see a justification for the proposal.He said the government should have just included the supplemental budget items in the 2015 budget.
http://authoring-2wsxzaq1.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/stories/2014/12/01/binay-roxas-offices-among-top-supplemental-budget-recipients
House panel OKs supplemental budget even if Palace wants moreBy RG Cruz,ABS-CBN News,Posted Dec. 09 2014 at 09:50 GMT +08
MANILA - The House Committee on Appropriations voted 11-2 to approve the P22.47 billion supplemental budget for 2014.However, Malacanang will be asking for more funds than it initially proposed.Budget Secretary Florencio Abad today told lawmakers at the House committee on appropriations that the proposed P22.46 billion 2014 supplemental budget will be increased since they found more funds to source the money.During the first committee hearing, National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon said there were 2 certifications of available funds that can be used for the supplemental budget.As of July 2014, she said the government earned some P23.622 billion in dividends from government financial institutions and government-owned and -controlled corporations, an amount in excess of the P5.5 billion target.The second source may come from the P37.061 billion income from Bureau of Treasury investments in bond sinking funds, which is in excess of the target of P26.563 billion."The President would like to inform the body we're vetting projects that may be included to cover the certified extra income but thats still being reviewed and hopefully before bicam or the amendment period, we should be able to present additional projects," Abad said.He explained that the initial budget proposal was put together with a projected extra income of about P23 billion."I'm pretty sure the executive will submit additional projects to cover rehab and reconstruction...what will happen here is the amount can only go higher. This is whats available to support supplemental budget. If later on, we can update, the amount can only go higher. We will propose it as an amendment."Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares grilled Abad: "Doesnt this ad hoc style go against the principle of transparency?We have to guard expenses not related to the needs of the people. Were tackling a bill that doesn't contain items we will approve. Isnt that contrary to transparency figures? May we know the items being contemplated?Committee chairman Isidro Ungab gave the executive till Thursday to submit.Abad said it will just be a matter of picking priorities from the P167 billion Yolanda rehabilitation and reconstruction program approved last month.He also admitted that the supplemental budget will also cover the obligations from the projects affected by the rulings against the DAP and the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of lawmakers.Committee vice chair Thelma Almario said they were expecting a larger amount for the unpaid obligations from PDAF projects.Abad explained that 10 of the 26 projects in the supplemental budget are DAP-funded projects.The projects are:Department of Interior and Local Government, Bureau of Fire Protection--transition investment support plan, ARMM procurement of 33 fire trucks: P199,167,000.00DILG Office of the Secretary--operational transformation plan for the PNP: P2,833,282,000.00Department of Justice--transfer of Quezon City prosecutors and public attorneys offices: P5,200,000.00Department of Science and Technology--Digi E-fund ICT hardware for government: P300,000,000.00.Department of Public Works and Highways--completion of development assistance to the province of Quezon: P240,000,000.00House of Representatives--completion of the legislative library and archives building/congressional e-library: P250,000,000.00Light Rail Transit Authority--rehabilitation of the LRT 1 and 2: P977,690,000National Housing Authority implementation of the North Triangle Relocation Project: P286,702, 000.00Philippine Coconut Authority--Coconut Scale Insect Emergency Action Plan: P340,345,000.00Philippine Fisheries Development Authority--construction of fishport, lighthouses and seawalls: P196, 385,000.00Abad also explained that there are other projects in the supplemental budget that were affected by force majeure, like the building of the Presidential Management Staff led by her daughter, Julia.Abad explained that government would have merely tapped the unprogrammed funds in the budget if not for the SC ruling on the DAP.He said the high court instructed the government to go back to Congress for supplemental appropriations, and that they can only tap the unprogrammed funds at the end of the year once they have all the revenue reports of government offices.Unprogrammed funds can only be tapped depending on the revenue targets for that year.
http://authoring-2wsxzaq1.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/stories/2014/12/09/house-panel-oks-supplemental-budget-even-if-palace-wants-more
US Pinoys skeptical of lawmakers' plans to realign porkBy ABS-CBN News,Posted Jan. 13 2014 at 11:46 GMT +08
LOS ANGELES -- At the Filipino Community's "Talakayan", a newly launched weekly forum discussing Philippine and US issues, "pork barrel" is once again a hot topic as several lawmakers have realigned their pork funds, as the Supreme Court ruled the corruption-prone funding system as unconstitutional."Yung multo nya andyan parin kasi na embed sa sistema yan," said Art Garcia of US Action Against Pork.The moves come as the Supreme Court ruled the system which had been allegedly misused by lawmakers unconstitutional.However the Priority Development Assistance Funds for 2014 were already approved.While they agree with Malacanang's clearance that the move by 9 senators to realign the funds is legal, anti-pork activists are wary of some of the motives of the P1.8 billion move."I think the moment a lawmaker realigns his budget allocation it is always for personal interest, and we don't trust them to do that," Dr. Marc Caratao, Talakayan moderator, said.Senators Miriam Defensor, Ralph Recto, JV Ejercito and siblings Peter and Pia Cayetano realigned their funds to the calamity funds.Senators Lito Lapid, Bong Revilla, and Antonio Trillanes gave theirs to various, military, education, social welfare, and other various government-run bodies.However the transaction Filipinos are questioning the most is Senator Jinggoy Estrada's move to give P100 million in pork funds to Manila, where where his father former president Joseph Estrada is mayor.Both the father and son have defended the realignment saying the money is not going to the former president but rather to city and various programs to serve its residents.In the meantime, activists say they will remain vigilant especially as they fight to have the presidential pork scrapped as well."The anti PDAF movement is not finished yet. Because the Supreme Court has not yet decided on the DAP," Garcia said.
http://authoring-2wsxzaq1.abs-cbn.com/global-pinoy/news/stories/2014/01/13/us-pinoys-skeptical-of-lawmakers-plans-to-realign-pork
Binay allies, foes trade accusations on diversionary tacticsBy RG Cruz,ABS-CBN News,Posted Oct. 29 2014 at 05:42 GMT +08
MANILA - United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) interim president and Navotas Rep. Tobias Tiangco confirmed Vice President Jejomar Binay will soon be airing political advertisements.Liberal Party member and Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice bared Tuesday that Binay will soon air political ads -- a plan to counter the decline of the ratings of Binay because of corruption allegations.Tiangco, however, declined to reveal the contents of the ads,"Definitely, we have prepared ads, I was one of those who viewed the final version of the ads and isa ako sa nag approve ng ads -- tatlo yung content -- huwag na natin i-preempt."Tiangco clarified they are still looking for funding to buy airtime.Allies and critics of Binay have been trading accusations of launching diversionary tactics to skirt controversies surrounding the vice president and the administration.Erice claims the ads are part of the so-called Oplan Maligno, which is part of Oplan Nognog. Binays camp had said the plan was hatched by his rival, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas.Erice claimed another part of the Binay camp's plan is to resurrect the controversies on the Disbursement Acceleration Program and the alleged incompetence of the Aquino administration to divert attention from the alleged overpricing of the Makati City Hall Building II during Binay's term as city mayor.Tiangco said, "Baligtad yun. Ang ginawa nila, ginamit nila yung issue to divert attention from the DAP, PDAF and Malampaya fund scam.
http://authoring-2wsxzaq1.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/stories/2014/10/29/binay-allies-foes-trade-accusations-on-diversionary-tacticsBinay, Roxas offices among top supplemental budget recipientsBy RG Cruz,ABS-CBN News,Posted Dec. 01 2014 at 12:26 GMT +08
MANILA - Agencies under the control of Vice-President Jejomar Binay and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas are among the top intended recipients of the proposed supplemental budget for 2014.The National Housing Authority (NHA) under Binay will get almost P8 billion for the construction of permanent housing for victims of typhoon Yolanda.The Department of the Interior and Local Government, meanwhile, will get funds for the transition investment support plan ARMM procurement of 33 firetrucks (P199,167,000), as well as the operational transformation plan for the Philippine National Police(P2,833,282,000).Binay has declared plans to run for President in 2016 while Roxas is the presumptive bet of the administration Liberal Party.Leaders of the House of Representatives filed House Bill 5237 proposing a P22,467,608,000 supplemental budget for 2014 to make up for deficiencies left by the declaration of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) as unconstitutional.The supplemental budget seeks to fund urgent and important projects that cannot be funded by savings, or through the unprogrammed fund and are not funded under the 2014 national budget.The House of Representatives and the Supreme Court will also get additional funding under the supplemental budget.Some of the projects listed in the supplemental budget are:Bureau of Treasury - additional capital outlay and MOOE for the implementation of the treasury single account (P803,380,000).Bureau of Treasury-budgetary shortfall for transaction fees and charges as a result of the implementation of the treasury single account (P100, 407,000).Department of Environment and Natural Resources - hiring of 294 former rebels as forest guards under the national greening program as part of the joint peacebuilding effort of the DENR and OPAPP (P11,176,000).Department of Finance-Office of the Secretary - phase 2 of the renovation of the DOF-OSEC property (P32,224,000).DILG Bureau of Fire Protection - transition investment support plan, ARMM procurement of 33 firetrucks (P199,167,000).DILG Office of the Secretary-Operational Transformation plan for the PNP (P2,833,282,000).DOJ - transfer of Quezon City Prosecutors and Public Attorneys' offices (P5,200,000).DOST Digi E-fund ICT hardware for government (P300,000,000).DPWH - obligations arising from implemented infrastructure projects (P1,849,150,000).DPWH - completion of development assistance to the province of Quezon (P240,000,000).DPWH - construction of the new Bohol provincial capitol (P350,000,000).DPWH - retrofitting of the Presidential Management Staff office building (P210,000,000).DSWD - updating of the National Household targetting system for poverty reduction (P1,942,521,000).DSWD - emergency shelter assistance for victims of Typhoon Yolanda (P1,500,000,000)DOTC Office of the Secretary - Metro Rail Transit 3 rehabilitation and capacity extension (P957,163,000).HRET - completion of the legislative library and archives building/congressional e-library (P250,000,000).LRT - rehabilitation of the LRT 1 and 2 (P977,690,000).Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority - construction of the Mactan Cebu International Airport VIP lounge building (P117,000,000).Metropolitan Manila Development Authority - closure of the San Mateo sanitary landfill (P178,000,000).NEA - installation substation in Sto. Domingo, Albay, P32,600,000.NHA - construction of permanent housing for victims of typhoon Yolanda (P7,999,856,000).NHA - implementation of the North Triangle Relocation Project (P286,702,000).PCA - coconut scale insect emergency action plan (P340,345,000).Philippine Fisheries Development Authority - Construction of fishport, lighthouses, and seawalls (P196,385,000).PIDS - provision of rent of office space during pendency of construction of PIDS new building (P40,000,000).Supreme Court and the lower courts - enterprise information system plan of the Supreme Court (P715,360,000).Makabayan lawmakers, however, slammed the proposal for a supplemental budget for 2014, with Kabataan Rep. Terry Rridon calling it a "last-ditch effort" to save the unconstitutional DAP.Ridon wants to see a justification for the proposal.He said the government should have just included the supplemental budget items in the 2015 budget.http://authoring-2wsxzaq1.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/stories/2014/12/01/binay-roxas-offices-among-top-supplemental-budget-recipientsBelmonte tells Binay: Face the SenateBy RG Cruz,ABS-CBN News,Posted Oct. 20 2014 at 09:08 GMT +08
MANILA - House Speaker Sonny Belmonte has joined calls for Vice President Jejomar Binay to face a Senate investigation on alleged corruption in Makati during his time as mayor.This is on the heels of a Social Weather Stations survey that says 79% of Filipinos nationwide want him to go to the Senate and explain his side on the alleged overpricing of the Makati City Hall Building II."Para sa akin maraming adherents sa Senate, not just his daughter. I'm for advising him to go ahead and appear. He should. They will respect him. He's vice-president. He has people for him within the Senate. They should attend, not just wash their hands off it. It's the best way to respond...a great number are not happy with his not appearing," he said.Binay has two daughters in Congress, Senator Nancy Binay and Makati Rep. Abigail Binay.Senator Binay is allied with Senators Joseph Victor Ejercito, Tito Sotto, Juan Ponce Enrile and Jinggoy Estrada in the minority.Belmonte has publicly opposed any moves to impeach Binay over the alleged corruption, saying Binay can only be impeached for offenses as vice president."I'm against impeaching the vice-president. Against ako," he said.The Nationalist Peoples Coalition (NPC), meanwhile, described as counter-productive calls by some groups to initiate impeachment proceedings against Binay, noting that they are a untimely and potentially divisive and costly political exercise.In a statement, NPC secretary general Rep. Mark Llandro Mendoza of the 4th District of Batangas urged administration lawmakers in Congress to engage themselves in more productive pursuits such as continuing with the reforms and programs aimed at improving the lives and livelihood of the people."The NPC which remains one of the biggest political parties in the country completely disagrees and will not support the calls of the critics of VP Binay to initiate an impeachment move against him, Mendoza said."The Aquino administration only has a little over two years left in office and we hope that its allies in Congress should instead focus on the tasks at hand and not dabble too much on politics, he continued.Previously, Liberal Party Rep. Edgar Erice said he was looking at endorsing an impeachment complaint against Binay.'DIVERSIONARY TACTIC'For his part, 1BAP Rep. Silvestre Bello III feels the Senate investigation has become a diversionary tactic meant to bring attention away from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) controversies which have hounded the Aquino administration."They are afraid na baka bumalik ang attention ng taumbayan sa PDAF and DAP and Malampaya funds. Nakakalimutan na natin yan. Legislators afraid na babalik atensiyon taumbayan sa bilyon bilyon na ninakaw," he said.Bello also wondered if the ongoing Senate investigation meets the requirements for a quorum since it is only being conducted by a subcommittee attended by three senators."They are investigating without legislative agenda. They are investigating something already being investigated by the Office of the Ombudsman...It may only confuse the people. Bakit di nila pabayaan si Ombudsman (Conchita Carpio) Morales to pursue investigation and come up with a resolution and even (Justice) Secretary Leila de Lima investigating as deputized by the Ombudsman," the lawmaker said.Bello feels lawmakers are better off attending to pending legislative matters like the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, the freedom of information law, and solutions to a looming power crisis.Belmonte, for his part, indicated that in the next two weeks, the Lower House will be working on the passage of the 2015 national budget--over P2.6 trillion--on third reading."The budget is still in the printing process. It cannot be presented today. Six volumes na ngayon, iniimprenta pa because of some amendments mainly in the itemization of various projects. That's the one that need to be tackled," he said.
http://authoring-2wsxzaq1.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/stories/2014/10/20/belmonte-tells-binay_-face-the-senate
House panel OKs supplemental budget even if Palace wants moreBy RG Cruz,ABS-CBN News,Posted Dec. 09 2014 at 09:50 GMT +08
MANILA - The House Committee on Appropriations voted 11-2 to approve the P22.47 billion supplemental budget for 2014.However, Malacanang will be asking for more funds than it initially proposed.Budget Secretary Florencio Abad today told lawmakers at the House committee on appropriations that the proposed P22.46 billion 2014 supplemental budget will be increased since they found more funds to source the money.During the first committee hearing, National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon said there were 2 certifications of available funds that can be used for the supplemental budget.As of July 2014, she said the government earned some P23.622 billion in dividends from government financial institutions and government-owned and -controlled corporations, an amount in excess of the P5.5 billion target.The second source may come from the P37.061 billion income from Bureau of Treasury investments in bond sinking funds, which is in excess of the target of P26.563 billion."The President would like to inform the body we're vetting projects that may be included to cover the certified extra income but thats still being reviewed and hopefully before bicam or the amendment period, we should be able to present additional projects," Abad said.He explained that the initial budget proposal was put together with a projected extra income of about P23 billion."I'm pretty sure the executive will submit additional projects to cover rehab and reconstruction...what will happen here is the amount can only go higher. This is whats available to support supplemental budget. If later on, we can update, the amount can only go higher. We will propose it as an amendment."Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares grilled Abad: "Doesnt this ad hoc style go against the principle of transparency?We have to guard expenses not related to the needs of the people. Were tackling a bill that doesn't contain items we will approve. Isnt that contrary to transparency figures? May we know the items being contemplated?Committee chairman Isidro Ungab gave the executive till Thursday to submit.Abad said it will just be a matter of picking priorities from the P167 billion Yolanda rehabilitation and reconstruction program approved last month.He also admitted that the supplemental budget will also cover the obligations from the projects affected by the rulings against the DAP and the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of lawmakers.Committee vice chair Thelma Almario said they were expecting a larger amount for the unpaid obligations from PDAF projects.Abad explained that 10 of the 26 projects in the supplemental budget are DAP-funded projects.The projects are:Department of Interior and Local Government, Bureau of Fire Protection--transition investment support plan, ARMM procurement of 33 fire trucks: P199,167,000.00DILG Office of the Secretary--operational transformation plan for the PNP: P2,833,282,000.00Department of Justice--transfer of Quezon City prosecutors and public attorneys offices: P5,200,000.00Department of Science and Technology--Digi E-fund ICT hardware for government: P300,000,000.00.Department of Public Works and Highways--completion of development assistance to the province of Quezon: P240,000,000.00House of Representatives--completion of the legislative library and archives building/congressional e-library: P250,000,000.00Light Rail Transit Authority--rehabilitation of the LRT 1 and 2: P977,690,000National Housing Authority implementation of the North Triangle Relocation Project: P286,702, 000.00Philippine Coconut Authority--Coconut Scale Insect Emergency Action Plan: P340,345,000.00Philippine Fisheries Development Authority--construction of fishport, lighthouses and seawalls: P196, 385,000.00Abad also explained that there are other projects in the supplemental budget that were affected by force majeure, like the building of the Presidential Management Staff led by her daughter, Julia.Abad explained that government would have merely tapped the unprogrammed funds in the budget if not for the SC ruling on the DAP.He said the high court instructed the government to go back to Congress for supplemental appropriations, and that they can only tap the unprogrammed funds at the end of the year once they have all the revenue reports of government offices.Unprogrammed funds can only be tapped depending on the revenue targets for that year.
http://authoring-2wsxzaq1.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/stories/2014/12/09/house-panel-oks-supplemental-budget-even-if-palace-wants-more
Supreme Court declares PDAF unconstitutionalByMARK MERUEAS,GMA NewsNovember 19, 2013 1:29pm(Updated 6:46 p.m.)The Supreme Court on Tuesday declared as unconstitutional the controversial Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), or more commonly known as the pork barrel.SC spokesperson Theodore Te said the high court voted 14-0-1 against the PDAF, the multimillion peso discretionary fund received by lawmakers every year.The court also declared as illegal the portion of Presidential Decree 910 that allows the Malampaya fund to be used "for such other purposes" as determined by the President.Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr. abstained from the voting because his son is an incumbent congressman. The decision was penned by Associate Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe, an appointee of President Benigno Aquino III.Petitioners have challenged the constitutionality of the PDAF before the high court following reports of its widespread and systematic misuse by some members of Congress in cahoots with private individuals.Three incumbent senators and several former members of the House of Representatives have been named respondents in a plunder complaint filed with the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam.The scam, allegedly masterminded by businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles, involved the funneling of pork barrel funds to bogus non-government organizations. Public outrage over the anomaly has resulted in the largest protest gathering under the three-year-old Aquino administration.
SC decisionIn a briefing, Te, quoting the decision, said the high court declared the PDAF Article in 2013 General Approriations Act and all similar provisions on the pork barrel system as illegal because it allowed legislators to wield, in varying gradiations, non-oversight, post-enactment authority in vital areas of budget executions (thus violating) the principle of separation of powers.The SC said the pork barrel system creates a system of budgeting in which items are not textualized into appropriations bill. It also said this flouts the prescribed power of presentment and in the process denies the President the power to veto items."Apart from the "entire 2013 PDAF Article," also declared unconstitutional were all legal provisions contained in previous and current "pork barrel" laws, including those on the PDAF and its predecessor, the Community Development Fund, as well as various "congressional insertions."According to the SC, these insertions authorized lawmakers, individually or through committees, to intervene, assume or participate in any of the various post-enactment stages of the budget execution, such as project identification, modification and revision of project identification, fund release, and/or fund realignment.Also declared unconstitutional were:
all legal provisions of past and present Congressional Pork Barrel laws, such as the previous PDAF and CDF Articles and the various Congressional Insertions, which confer/red personal, lump-sum allocations to legislators from which they are able to fund specific projects which they themselves determine; all informal practices of similar import and effect, which the Court similarly deems to be acts of grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of discretion; and the phrases (1) and for such other purposes as may be hereafter directed by the President under Section 8 of Presidential Decree No. 910 and (2) to finance the priority infrastructure development projects under Section 12 of PD 1869, as amended by PD 1993, for both failing the sufficient standard test in violation of the principle of non-delegability of legislative power.
Request denied
Meanwhile, the high court denied the petitioners' request that Executive Secretary Pacquito Ochoa and the Department of Budget and Management provide the public and the Commission on Audit complete lists and schedules or detailed reports related to the availment and utilization of the controversial funds.
The court also denied the petitioners' request that the contested funds be included in budgetary deliberations of Congress.
"The Court hereby directs all prosecutorial organs of government to, within the bounds of reasonable dispatch, investigate and accordingly prosecute all government officials and/or private individuals for possible criminal offenses related to the irregular, improper and/or unlawful disbursement/utilization of all funds under the Pork Barrel System," the SC said.The court said the decision was immediately executory but prospective in effect.Senators can get up to P200 million each in PDAF every year, while members of the House of Representatives are entitled to P70 million each.A senior official said Malacaang will not issue a comment for now, saying it would like to read the ruling first."Hihintayin po ng ating Tanggapan ng Pangulo ang desisyon na yan para pag-aralan kung ano ang implikasyon," Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) head Herminio Coloma Jr. said during a press conference.Meanwhile, one of the organizers of the anti-pork barrel rallyMillion People Marchexpressed elation over the high court's decision, but quickly added that this is just the first step and the people still need to be vigilant against any fund misuse.It's still sinking in. [I] am personally still overwhelmed at the news. I see it as a victory but this is just the first step. The SC decision gives us hope again in our democratic process. Kelangan pa rin na tumutok at hindi tayo bumitiw lalo pa ngayon, Peachy Bretaa said in a text message to GMA News Online.Actress Mae Paner, also known as Juana Change, called the SC decision as a victory of the people."Tagumpay ng taumbayan yan. People's vigilance helped add pressure to the SC. We in the scrap pork network are cautiously, critically, conditionally victorious! Aabangan at babantayan ang next na magaganap, she said in a separate text message.On August 26, thousands from different sectors gathered at the first anti-pork barrel rally held at the Luneta Park in Manila. It was branded as a "pocket picnic" for taxpayers who demand that the pork barrel be scrapped. It was also the first and so far the largest mass action in the Aquino administration.Oral argumentsDuring the oral arguments at the high court last month, Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza, in defense of the PDAF, asked the court to lift the temporary restraining order it imposed on the release of the funds.He reasoned that the scholars and indigent patients that were subsidized through PDAF funds were the ones suffering from the TRO.But Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio suggested that the Presidents Social Fund, the discretionary fund of the President, can instead be tapped for indigent patients and augment scholarship programs. withKimberly Jane TanandAmita Legaspi/KBK/RSJ, GMA News
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/336120/news/nation/supreme-court-declares-pdaf-unconstitutional
DAP, PDAF caused drop in Aquino admin satisfaction rating DrilonByAMITA O. LEGASPI, GMA NewsAugust 11, 2014 11:47amThe controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program, aside from the pork barrel scam, caused the drop in the satisfaction ratings of the Aquino administration, Senate President Franklin Drilon said Monday.I would attribute this (drop) to the involvement of a number of our senators and members of Congress in the so-called PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund) scandal, in the issue on DAP which has not been received well by our people and a few other factors, Drilon said during a news forum in Manila.A survey by the Social Weather Stations released Monday showed that theAquino administrations satisfaction rating fell to a new low, a moderate +29 , in June. It showed that only 56 percent were satisfied with the administration's general performance, down from 65 percent in the first quarter.Dissatisfaction went up to 26 percent from 20 percent in the first quarter, resulting in the +29 net satisfaction rating.Critics questioned the DAP which allowed the executive branch in 2013 to use the savings and realign it to augment existing programs and projects and fund priority programs and projects not considered in the 2012 budget.DAP hit the headlines after Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, one of the accused in the pork barrel scam, revealed that several senators received P50 million to P100 million after the conviction of Chief Justice Renato Corona by the Senate impeachment court.On July 1, 2014, theSupreme Court declared as unconstitutional some provisions of DAP.Drilon expressed confidence that the administrations satisfaction rating will improve in the following months.This survey is focused on a particular period. Im confident that the administration will recover from this and increase the net satisfaction level of this administration, he said.The Senate leader also said that the Aquino administrations satisfaction rating is still better than that of the Arroyo administration.Why dont we compare the Aquino administrations satisfaction rating, which is more than a majority of our populace, compare it to where the previous administration was at this stage of their administration and you will see that the Aquino administration is faring much, much better, he added.KG, GMA News
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/374261/news/nation/dap-pdaf-caused-drop-in-aquino-admin-satisfaction-rating-drilon
The PDAF scam: List of accused in the first batch of plunder and graft casesJune 13, 2014 1:59pm
Almost a year after the multi-billion pork barrel scam hit the headlines, alleged mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles and three senators are leading a cast of dozens who will soon be facing trial for the massive fraud. Their alleged conspirators include Senate employees, fake NGO officials, and top government executives who are accused of plunder and multiple counts of graft.The scheme involves the diversion of Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allocations, often intended for livelihood projects, into fake projects and NGOs. First unveiled by whisteblower Benhur Luy, thescam was later validated by a Commission on Audit special reportreleased in August 2013 that detailed ghost recipients, questionable receipts, and suppliers operating without permits.An interagency investigation uncovered a web of transactions involving legislators' offices, government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), and the NGOs of Napoles where public funds were supposedly laundered and kickbacks given out.In September last year, the National Bureau of Investigation filedplunder and graft complaints against 39 peopleallegedly involved in the scam.Last April, the Office of the Ombudsman found probable cause to indict Napoles along with Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. and several others with plunder. Many of themfiled an appeal, but the Ombudsman deniedmost of the motions for reconsideration.Finally,plunder charges were filed at the Sandiganbayanon June 6 against Napoles, the three senators, and five other people in connection with the PDAF scam. Additionalgraft charges were filedagainst them and several others on June 9.In the matrix below, GMA News Online provides a summary of the first batch of complaints and cases filed in the pork scam controversy, as well as the status of the cases at the Ombudsman and the anti-graft court based on official records. TheSandiganbayan raffled off the graft and plunder caseslast June 13, and the justices have 10 days to determine probable cause to charge the accused or junk the cases.
SENATORS AND STAFF
Senate Minority Leader JUAN PONCE ENRILESenator JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADASenator RAMON REVILLA JR.
One count of plunder, 15 counts of graft One count of plunder, 11 counts of graft One count of plunder, 16 counts of graft
Facing plunder and graft charges Facing plunder and graft charges Facing plunder and graft charges
In separate information sheets filed by the Ombudsman, Enrile and his co-accused are alleged to have amassed P172.8 million in kickbacks from 2004 to 2010 through Napoles NGOs.Codenamed Sexy by whistleblowers, Estrada is accused of pocketing P183.79 million in kickbacks from dealings with fake NGOs from 2004 to 2012. The Ombudsman said Estrada chose bogus NGOs as project partners for livelihood projects financed by his PDAF.Tagged Pogi by whistleblowers, Revilla and his co-accused allegedly received P224.5 million in kickbacks from 2006 to 2010 for funding the ghost projects of Napoles NGOs.
JESSICA LUCILA Gigi REYESPAULINE THERESE MARY LABAYENRICHARD CAMBE
One count of plunder, 15 counts of graft One count of plunder, 11 counts of graft One count of plunder, 16 counts of graft
Facing plunder and graft charges Facing plunder and graft charges Facing plunder and graft charges
As Enrile's former chief of staff and most trusted aide, Reyes is accused of acting on behalf of the senator in identifying the GOCCs that became the implementing agencies of the bogus projects funded by his PDAF.Estradas deputy chief of staff is accused of dealing with the parties in the scam upon the authority given by Estrada. She is accused of signing documents and claiming kickbacks on the senators behalf.As Revillas chief political officer, Cambe prepared endorsement letters and memoranda of agreement with Napoles NGOs and implementing agencies. He also crafted disbursement reports and at times, according to the indictment, even allowed Napoles employees to prepare the documents and sign for him.
JOSE ANTONIO EVANGELISTA II,
15 counts of graftLEGEND:
Co-accused with Enrile for graft - Office of the Ombudsman
Enriles former deputy chief of staff is accused of signing documents for the implementation of projects funded by Enrile's PDAF, and selecting the beneficiary NGOs upon the instruction of Reyes. - Sandigangbayan
RUBY TUASON
Two counts of plunder, 26 counts of graft
Granted state witness status
She admitted to acting as liaison between Napoles and Senators Enrile and Estrada. As a key witness in the case, Tuason received immunity from suit in exchange for her testimony and access to documentary evidence
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
National Agribusiness Corporation (NABCOR)National Livelihood Development Corporation (NLDC)DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT (DBM)
ALAN A. JAVELLANA,GONDELINA G. AMATA,MARIO RELAMPAGOS,
Former PresidentPresidentUndersecretary for Operations
16 counts of graft (seven for Enrile, four for Revilla, five for Estrada) 19 counts of graft (six for Enrile, eight for Revilla, five for Estrada)ROSARIO NUEZ, LALAINE PAULE, MARILOU BARE,
Co-accused with Estrada for graft Co-accused with Enrile for graftEmployees
He signed the MOAs with selected NGOs, approved disbursement vouchers for PDAF releases, and co-signed the checks issued to the NGOs.She signed the agreements with selected NGOs, approved disbursement vouchers for PDAF allotments, and co-signed the corresponding checks issued to Napoles NGOs. Three counts of plunder (one each for Enrile, Revilla, and Estrada) and 42 counts of graft (15 for Enrile, 16 for Revilla, 11 for Estrada)
Co-accused with the three senators in the graft charges
RHODORA B. MENDOZA,CHITA C. JALANDONI,According to whistleblower Benhur Luy, they were the contacts of Napoles who facilitated the swift release of special allotment release orders (SAROs) and notice of cash allocations (NCAs) for the senators' PDAF.
Administrative and Finance HeadDepartment Manager
16 counts of graft (seven for Enrile, four for Revilla, five for Estrada); her petition for immunity was denied 18 counts of graft (six for Enrile, seven for Revilla, five for Estrada)
Co-accused with Estrada for graft Co-accused with Enrile for graft
She was a co-signatory in the checks issued to NGOs, and attended the inspection of livelihood kits.She co-signed the checks issued to Napoles NGOs.
EMMANUEL ALEXIS SEVIDAL,Technology Resource Center (TRC)
VICTOR ROMAN CACAL,Director IVANTONIO Y. ORTIZ,
General Services Supervisor/Paralegal 19 counts of graft (six for Enrile, eight for Revilla, five for Estrada)Former Director General
14 counts of graft (six for Enrile, three for Revilla, five for Estrada); his petition for immunity was denied Co-accused with Enrile for graft Seven counts of graft (two for Enrile, four for Revilla, one for Estrada)
Co-accused with Estrada for graftHe certified in disbursement vouchers that the PDAF releases were necessary, lawful, and incurred under his direct supervision. Co-accused with Revilla for graft
He assisted in the preparation of MOAs with NGOs, and certified in disbursement vouchers that the PDAF releases were incurred under his direct supervision.He signed the MOAs with selected NGOs, approved disbursement vouchers, and co-signed the checks issued to the NGOs.
SOFIA D. CRUZ,
Project Development Officer IVDENNIS L. CUNANAN,
MA. NINEZ P. GUAIZO, 19 counts of graft (six for Enrile, eight for Revilla, five for Estrada)Director General
Bookkeeper/OIC-Accounting Division Co-accused with Enrile for graft Seven counts of graft (two for Enrile, four for Revilla, one for Estrada); his petition for immunity was denied
15 counts of graft (six for Enrile, four for Revilla, five for Estrada)She certified in disbursement vouchers that supporting documents were complete and proper. Co-accused with Revilla for graft
Co-accused with Estrada for graftHe certified in disbursement vouchers that the PDAF releases were necessary, lawful and incurred under his direct supervision.
She certified in disbursement vouchers that funds were available and supporting documents were complete and proper.EVELYN SUCGANG,
EmployeeFRANCISCO B. FIGURA,
ROMULO M. RELEVO, Eight counts of graft (three for Revilla, five for Estrada)Department Manager III
EmployeeShe co-signed the checks issued to the NGOs. Seven counts of graft (two for Enrile, four for Revilla, one for Estrada)
10 counts of graft (one for Enrile's case, four for Revilla's, five for Estrada's)EMMANUEL ALEXIS SEVIDAL, Co-accused with Revilla for graft
Director IVHe assisted in the preparation of MOAs with NGOs; certified in disbursement vouchers that the PDAF releases were necessary, lawful and incurred under his direct supervision; and co-signed the checks issued to the NGOs.
Co-accused with Estrada for graft 19 counts of graft (six for Enrile, eight for Revilla, five for Estrada)
He certified in disbursement vouchers that the PDAF releases were incurred under his direct supervision. Co-accused with Enrile for graft
MA. JULIE V. JOHNSON,He certified in disbursement vouchers that the PDAF releases were necessary, lawful, and incurred under his direct supervision.
Former Chief AccountantMARIVIC JOVER,
Eight counts of graft (one for Enrile, two for Revilla, five for Estrada)Chief Accountant
Co-accused with Estrada for graftOFELIA E. ORDOEZ, Seven counts of graft (two for Enrile, four for Revilla, one for Estrada)
She certified in disbursement vouchers that funds were available and supporting documents were complete and proper.Chief Budget Specialist Co-accused with Revilla for graft
14 counts of graft (six for Enrile, eight for Revilla)She certified in disbursement vouchers that funds were available and supporting documents were complete and proper.
ENCARNITA CRISTINA P. MUNSOD, Co-accused with Enrile for graft
Former Support Services SupervisorShe certified in disbursement vouchers that funds were available for the projects.MA. ROSALINDA LACSAMANA,
Three counts of graft (one for Enrile, two for Revilla)GREGORIA BUENAVENTURA,Former Group Manager
She certified in disbursement vouchers that the PDAF releases were incurred under her direct supervision.Employee Seven counts of graft (two for Enrile, four for Revilla, one for Estrada)
15 counts of graft (eight for Revilla, five for Estrada, two for Enrile) Co-accused with Revilla for graft
She checked and verified the endorsement letters from the three senators; confirmed the authenticity of the authorization given to subordinates regarding the monitoring, supervision and implementation of PDAF projects; and prepared evaluation and verification reports.She oversaw the processing of PDAF releases and assisted in the preparation/review of MOAs with NGOs.
CONSUELO LILIAN ESPIRITU,
Budget Officer IV
FILIPINA T. RODRIGUEZ, Six counts of graft (two for Enrile, three for Revilla, one for Estrada)
Budget Officer IVShe certified in disbursement vouchers that funds were available for the Napoles NGO projects.
Six counts of graft (for Enrile's case)
Co-accused with Enrile for graft
She certified in disbursement vouchers that funds were available for the projects.
NAPOLES and her NGOs
JANET LIM NAPOLES, alleged scam mastermind
Three counts of plunder (one each for Enrile, Revilla, and Estrada) and 42 counts of graft (15 for Enrile, 16 for Revilla, 11 for Estrada)
Motion for reconsideration, request for immunity junked
Co-accused with the three senators in the plunder and graft charges filed at the Sandiganbayan
Napoles is accused of taking advantage of her connections in government to orchestrate the mother of all scams. According to the Ombudsman, the scheme that went on for nearly a decade involved the creation of fake NGOs, which received funding for agricultural and livelihood projects that either did not exist or were grossly overpriced.
RONALD JOHN LIM,LAARNI UY,
nephew of NapolesOfficer of Agricultura Para sa Magbubukid Foundation, Inc.
Two counts of plunder (one each for Enrile and Revilla) and 15 counts of graft (all for Enrile) 18 counts of graft (two for Enrile, 16 for Revilla)
Co-accused with Revilla and Enrile for the plunder charges, and with Enrile for the graft charges Co-accused with Revilla in the graft charges
JO CHRISTINE NAPOLES,MYLA OGERIO,
daughter of NapolesOfficer of Agri and Economic Program for Farmers Foundation, Inc.
15 counts of graft for Enrile's cases 17 counts of graft (one for Enrile, 16 for Revilla)
Co-accused with Enrile in the graft charges Co-accused with Revilla in the graft charges
JAMES CHRISTOPHER NAPOLES,AMPARO FERNANDO,
son of NapolesOfficer of Countrywide Agri and Rural Economic Development Foundation, Inc.
15 counts of graft for Enrile's cases Charged with six counts of graft, all for Enrile's case, at the Ombudsman
Co-accused with Enrile in the graft charges Co-accused with Enrile in the graft charges
JOHN RAYMOND DE ASIS,JOCELYN DITCHON PIORATO,
said to be a driver of NapolesPresident of Agricultura Para sa Magbubukid Foundation Inc.
Three counts of plunder (one each for Enrile, Revilla, and Estrada) and 31 counts of graft (four for Enrile, 16 for Revilla, 11 for Estrada) Five counts of graft (one for Enrile, 4 for Revilla)
Co-accused with the three senators in the plunder and graft chargesAILEEN PALALON PALAMA,
He is also an officer of Countrywide Agri and Rural Economic Development Foundation, Inc. (CARED), one of the Napoles NGOs.Officer of Countrywide Agri and Rural Economic Development Foundation, Inc.
EULOGIO RODRIGUEZ Four counts of graft, all for Enrile's case
staff of Napoles Co-accused with Enrile in the graft charges
31 counts of graft (15 for Enrile, 16 for Revilla)MYLENE TAGAYON ENCARNACION,
Co-accused with Enrile and Revilla in the graft chargesOfficer of Countrywide Agri and Rural Economic Development Foundation, Inc.
FERNANDO RAMIREZ, Four counts of graft, all for Enrile's case
former driver of Napoles Co-accused with Enrile in the graft charges
15 counts of graft, all for Enrile's caseNITZ CABILAO,
Co-accused with Enrile in the graft chargesstaff of Napoles
15 counts of graft, all for Enrile's case
Co-accused with Enrile in the graft charges
Plunder is a non-bailable offense when evidence against the accused is deemed strong, which means warrants of arrest may be issued against Napoles and the three senators along with their alleged accomplices. Convicted offenders face 30 years in prison and the forfeiture of ill-
Related Documents
![Photoaffinity labeling of acyl-CoA oxidase with 12-azidooleoyl-CoA and 12-[(4-azidosalicyl)amino]dodecanoyl-CoA](https://static.cupdf.com/doc/110x72/63133963b033aaa8b20ffcc4/photoaffinity-labeling-of-acyl-coa-oxidase-with-12-azidooleoyl-coa-and-12-4-azidosalicylaminododecanoyl-coa.jpg)
