Binay wants his P200M social fund removed amid 'pork' controversy

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay is asking the Congress to remove the P200-million social services fund of his office from the 2014 national budget.

Binay said he has decided to ask for the removal of the said amount to avoid speculations and politicking on his use of the fund.

"Pormal kong hinihiling na tanggalin sa 2014 budget ng tanggapan ng Pangalawang Pangulo ang P200 million na nakalaan sa locally funded projects," Binay said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

"Nagdesisyon ako kahit hindi pa man sinasabi ng kinauukulan kung ano ang katangian ng pondong ito, para maiwasan ang ispekulasyon at pamumulitika sa usaping ito," he added.

Binay said he acknowledges that the removal of social services fund will affect the programs of his office, such as the provision of college scholarships, medical assistance, and those related to the welfare of senior citizens.

He claimed that the use of the P200-million fund of his office was reviewed by the Commission on Audit (COA).

"Hindi lamang pasado ito sa COA, kundi pinapurihan  pa kami, bilang pagkilala  sa hayag at masinop na paggamit ng aking tanggapan sa nasabing pondo, at ang benepisyo na natatamasa ng ating mga kababayan," Binay said.

Binay made his statement amid the ongoing public clamor against lawmakers' pork barrel and President Benigno Aquino III's social fund.

Malacañang has since insisted that Aquino's social fund is different from the congressional pork barrel.