274 DAP raps filed vs Benigno Aquino III, allies

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) member Greco Belgica yesterday filed before the Office of the Ombudsman 274 counts of malversation through conspiracy against former president Benigno Aquino III and other former government officials in connection with the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) scandal.

Also named respondents were former budget secretary Florencio Abad, former congressman Emilio Abaya, former senator Mar Roxas, Sen. Franklin Drilon and former budget undersecretary Mario Relampagos, Director Yolanda Doblon (Senate Legislative Budget Research and Monitoring Office), Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and several John Does.

The Coalition for Truth and Justice said there were three tranches of cross-border DAP releases to senators and congressmen totalling P17.3 billion, P2.6 billion of which remain unaccounted.

Cross-border transfer or transferring money from one branch of government to another was deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

Belgica said the 274 counts pertain to 139 congressmen and 21 senators who received the illegal cross-border transfer for the first tranche and 95 congressmen and 19 senators for the second tranche.

“Moreover, these funds were used to influence the legislators to impeach and convict former chief justice Renato Corona. Hence, not for public purpose,” he said.