Former President Benigno Aquino III
QUEZON CITY, Philippines – Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales on Wednesday, June 20, indicted former President Benigno Aquino III over the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP.)
In a statement, the Office of the Ombudsman said Morales found probable cause to file a case against Aquino for usurpation of legislative powers before the Sandiganbayan for violation of Article 239 of the Revised Penal Code.
The indictment stems from the Aquino Administration’s unlawful issuance of National Budget Circular (NBC) No. 541 to implement DAP involving P72 billion public funds.
The Ombudsman claims of having evidence that would prove a conspiracy between Aquino and former Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad “to encroach on the powers of Congress by expanding the meaning of savings to fund programs, activities, and projects under the DAP.”
The resolution further noted that the budget circular would not have been issued without Aquino signing it.
Meanwhile, the Ombudsman denied Abad’s motion to reverse its decision charging him for a similar complaint.
It can be noted that the Supreme Court (SC) in July 2014 ruled that it was illegal to transfer funds under DAP. — UNTV News & Rescue
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