Aquino ordered to comment on DAP controversy
THE OFFICE of the Ombudsman has ordered former President Benigno S. C. Aquino III to respond to the motions for reconsideration filed by the complainants in the case on the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).
The Ombudsman has previously cleared Mr. Aquino from liabilities in the DAP controversy, but indicted Budget Secretary Florencio B. Abad for usurpation of legislative power and was found guilty of simple misconduct punishable by a fine equivalent to his three months’ salary as Secretary.
“The Special Panel of Investigators has issued an Order directing all parties, including former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, to comment on the Motions for Reconsideration filed by complainants in relation to the investigation of the Disbursement Acceleration Program,” the Ombudsman said in a statement.
The parties, including Mr. Aquino, have 15 days from notice to file their comments.
Complainants, led by Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Isagani T. Zarate, filed a motion for reconsideration last month, appealing to reconsider the decision of the Ombudsman that cleared Mr. Aquino from graft and technical malversation charges.
The complainants also said in their motion that the Ombudsman erred when it ruled that Mr. Abad only committed simple misconduct and not grave misconduct.
“The roles of (Mr.) Aquino and (Mr.) Abad could not be discounted as mere ‘policy makers’ of the DAP scheme. Rather, the policy direction chosen by respondents are the raison d’être of the DAP,” the motion for reconsideration read.
“Thus, it is error for the Honorable Office of the Ombudsman to dismiss their participation as mere ‘policy makers;’ their acts are evidence to the fact that they are indeed the administrators of the entire national budget,” it added. —