Aquino denies having 'shouting match' with Abad

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday refuted a report that he had a "shouting match" with Budget Secretary Florencio Abad over the outlawed Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

In an interview with reporters in Apayao, Aquino said he never had heated exchanges with his Cabinet members.

"'Yung Gabinete ini-encourage kong magpalitan ng kanilang opinyon, pero sa pananaw ko wala pa yatang nagsigawan — not with me, but more in particular, even just in my presence," Aquino said.

"Sa totoo lang, 'yung 'nagsigawan kami,' parang napaka-absurdo yata na nakakawalang-ganang patulan pa ‘yung mga ganyang kuro-kuro, 'di ba? 'Yung kuwentong kutsero nagkakaroon ng saysay ‘pag sinagot pa natin," he added.

Citing Palace sources, former Sen. Francisco Tatad claimed that a "nasty shouting match transpired" between Aquino and Abad over the DAP, the administration's economic stimulus program that was declared partially unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

Tatad said Aquino blamed Abad for the DAP scandal but the budget chief shot back by reminding the president that he approved the controversial program.

Abad also reportedly reminded Aquino that the DAP was used to bribe Congress in order to impeach former Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona and implement the rest of the president's "personal program."

Earlier this month, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales said her office is now probing Aquino and Abad regarding the implementation of the DAP.