DAP worse than PDAF

This was the observation of former Chief Justice Reynato Puno. In the past, releases of big amounts were announced with much fanfare. It was usually accompanied by a photo op of the President or the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary of the release of the special release allotment orders (Saros) or Notice of Cash Allocation (NCA) or check. In the DAP releases, no such announcement or photo. It was all done in secret.

It is now revealed that P10 billion was given to Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas for squatter relocation and flood control while P6.49 billion was given to “other various projects of local government units.” Worse, 900 DAP-Saros were released to legislators on top of their pork barrel funds, for them to allocate.

DBM sources also claim that P10 billion was allocated for the construction of streets in Tarlac, the President’s home province, with only one contractor, Northern Builders, getting all the contracts without public bidding.

Northern Builders, owned by the Angeles family, is the President’s contractor ever since he became a congressman.

More than P8 billion was given to Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) without specific particulars as to its use. The ARMM governors have notorious records of malversation of public funds.

P360 million was released to the Technology Resource Center (TRC), a favorite conduit of Janet Lim-Napoles.

Ten months ago, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago asked Commission on Audit (CoA) Chairperson Grace Pulido-Tan to conduct an audit of DAP, but up to now no report has been reported. The same is true for the Malampaya Fund.  

Late last year, Abad confirmed that P1.107 billion in DAP funds were given to 20 senators, following accusations by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada that DAP funds were used to bribe senators, to ensure the conviction of Chief Justice Renato Corona during his impeachment trial in the Senate.

It was also revealed that P5.4 billion went to the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), which was used for landowners’ compensation, including the President’s relatives for Hacienda Luisita. Hacienda Luisita, Inc. was paid P471 million for land valued at P100,000 per hectare.

The DBM sources cited the P1.05-billion Saro issued to the Department of Agriculture (DA) in 2011 for farm-to-market roads as among the DAP funds that were showered on legislators.

It is now clear that the expenditure of DAP funds is not authorized by any congressional appropriation. It is correct to call it presidential pork barrel.

Erap’s excellent first year

Former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada will deliver his State of the City Address tomorrow morning at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Erap’s first year is characterized by an improvement in the traffic situation, instilling discipline on bus drivers, tricycle drivers, city hall employees, and Manila policemen.

He has increased the tax collections, enabling him to pay P500 million of the P638 million debt to Manila Electric Company (Meralco).

He has resumed the payment of allowances of Manila policemen.

He has cleared Divisoria’s street of vendors as well as improved the cleanliness of its market area.

His biggest achievement is his issuance of an apology to the Hong Kong (HK) government, restoring the good relations with the Chinese administrative region.

He has acquired dozens of dialysis machines to take care of poor Manilans.

Glenda death toll

The death toll from Typhoon Glenda has reached 94 with 317 wounded; 330,000 families have been affected. Only Albay province reported zero casualties. Quezon province was the hardest hit. Also hard hit were Bataan and Laguna.

Calamity funds should now be released to the provincial and municipal governments ravaged by Typhoon Glenda.

Feet on the ground

Senator Grace Poe issued a statement that she has no plans to run for higher office in 2016. She said she is not ready for the presidency; and she still has a lot to learn.

Senator Poe should be commended for her levelheadedness. Certainly, 3 years as senator does not give one enough experience for such a highly complex job as the presidency involves both domestic and foreign affairs.

Note that she received 12% in the Pulse Asia’s June survey.

Congratulations INC

Congratulations to Bishop Eduardo Manalo and the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) leadership, for the inauguration of its Philippine Arena in Ciudad de Victoria, Bocaue, Bulacan. The biggest domed building in the world, it has a seating capacity of 50,000 to 55,000. The construction started in 2011.

The INC is celebrating its centennial on July 27, 2014. President Aquino, Vice-President Jejomar Binay, and former President Joseph Estrada lead the guests.

The Philippine Arena Complex cost P9 billion.

Grim reminder

The crash of the Malaysia Airlines MH17, killing all 298 passengers on board including 3 Filipinos, once again, is a grim reminder that death can happen anytime. It is a timely reminder that one needs to prepare for death by regular prayers, masses and charitable work for the poor.