Manila, Philippines - President Benigno 'PNoy' Aquino III delivered on Monday, July 14, 2014 his second televised message to defend his Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), partially declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
The controversial DAP is a stimulus package under the Aquino administration which is designed to fast-track public spending and push economic growth. This covers high-impact budgetary programs and projects which will be augmented out of the savings generated during the year and additional revenue sources.
PNoy began his speech with the situation before his administration assumed office last June 2010. He criticized former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for some anomalous projects like the dredging of Laguna Lake.
"Of the 1.54 trillion pesos set aside for the government for the whole of 2010, only 100 billion—or 6.5 percent—was left for the remaining six months of the year. You really have to wonder: Where did the money go?", Aquino said.
Aquino emphasized that corruption was endemic in the budgeting system of the past administration.
The President also made an appeal to the Supreme Court to clarify their decision regarding DAP and realize the decision’s negative effect on the country.
"We will appeal the Supreme Court’s decision. We will do this by filing a Motion for Reconsideration, which will allow them to more fully and more conscientiously examine the law.", Aquino said.
Following his National Address on the filing of a motion for reconsideration on the High Court’s ruling on DAP, Aquino instructed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release the official list of projects funded through the DAP.
Budget and Management Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad, said that the agency is planning to launch a web page dedicated to all matters related to the DAP, including facts about the program’s design and implementation; key details and figures on project funding; and supplementary material, such as infographics and political commentary from independent journalists.
"Finally, let me impress upon everyone: DAP is good. Our intentions, our processes, and the results were correct. Bosses, I promise you: I will not allow your suffering to be prolonged—especially if we could do what we can as early as now.", the President concluded.
The controversial DAP is a stimulus package under the Aquino administration which is designed to fast-track public spending and push economic growth. This covers high-impact budgetary programs and projects which will be augmented out of the savings generated during the year and additional revenue sources.
PNoy began his speech with the situation before his administration assumed office last June 2010. He criticized former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for some anomalous projects like the dredging of Laguna Lake.
"Of the 1.54 trillion pesos set aside for the government for the whole of 2010, only 100 billion—or 6.5 percent—was left for the remaining six months of the year. You really have to wonder: Where did the money go?", Aquino said.
Aquino emphasized that corruption was endemic in the budgeting system of the past administration.
The President also made an appeal to the Supreme Court to clarify their decision regarding DAP and realize the decision’s negative effect on the country.
"We will appeal the Supreme Court’s decision. We will do this by filing a Motion for Reconsideration, which will allow them to more fully and more conscientiously examine the law.", Aquino said.
Following his National Address on the filing of a motion for reconsideration on the High Court’s ruling on DAP, Aquino instructed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release the official list of projects funded through the DAP.
Budget and Management Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad, said that the agency is planning to launch a web page dedicated to all matters related to the DAP, including facts about the program’s design and implementation; key details and figures on project funding; and supplementary material, such as infographics and political commentary from independent journalists.
"Finally, let me impress upon everyone: DAP is good. Our intentions, our processes, and the results were correct. Bosses, I promise you: I will not allow your suffering to be prolonged—especially if we could do what we can as early as now.", the President concluded.
