Most of PJ’s PDAF spent near end of 2012

CEBU, Philippines - The Capitol has spent a total of P17.9 million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of outgoing third district Rep. Pablo John Garcia in the second half of the year 2012.

The amount was higher compared to what was spent during the first half of the year when Pablo John has yet to declare his candidacy for governor.

Pablo John and some other Congressmen and Senators have deposited portion of their PDAF in trust at the Capitol.

Records at the Provincial Accountant's Office show that from July 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012, the Capitol spent P5.4 million for socio-cultural activities, P2.4 million for sports activities.

The amount was spent before Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Pablo John's sister, got suspended for grave abuse of authority by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Pablo John's PDAF was utilized for burial, medical, fire victims, scholarship fee, honorarium of volunteer teachers, among others.

There were also financial assistance for infrastructure projects such as the completion and construction of barangay halls, waiting sheds, public toilets, water system, barangay plaza, basketball courts, day care centers and school buildings.

During the first half of 2012, the Capitol only utilized P7.8 million of Pablo John's PDAF mostly for socio-cultural and sports activities and some financial assistance for infrastructure projects.

Pablo John declared that he is running for governor in April of 2012.

The Capitol also utilized the PDAF outgoing second district Rep. Pablo “Pabling” Garcia amounting to P7.4 million during the second half of 2012 much higher than the P2.1 million during the first half of the year.

Pabling still has more than P70 million of his PDAF at the Capitol that was withheld by acting Governor Agnes Magpale when Gwen was suspended on December 19, 2012.

Reelected fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon also spent a total of P8.7 million of his PDAF deposited at the Capitol higher than the P6.2 million during the first half of last year mostly for medical assistance.

When Gwen was suspended, Salimbangon deposited his medical assistance fund at the local government units of Medellin for Bogo City District Hospital, and in Daanbantayan and Bantayan for the district hospitals in these towns.

Reelected sixth district Rep. Gabriel Luis Quisumbing also has P3.5 million of utilized funds at the Capitol for multicabs, ambu-van and feeding program.

The P1 million of former senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. was also utilized for the construction of water system during the period.

During the first half of 2012, the Capitol has a total PDAF utilization of P16.3 million while a total of P38.6 million during the second half.

There are undisclosed amount of PDAF of Senators Manny Villar, Juan Ponce Enrile, Francis Pangilinan, Franklin Drilon, Loren Legarda, Pia Cayetano, Diwa and Akbayan Partylists but the Capitol reported no utilization for these funds.-(FREEMAN)