Thursday, July 17, 2014

PNoy warns SC its ruling could create chaos, says will file for MR on DAP ruling



The online news portal of TV5
MANILA, Philippines - Sending a stern warning to the Supreme Court about the possible dire effects of what he called its "vague" ruling, President Benigno Aquino III Monday said the Executive will file a motion for reconsideration on the unanimous high court judgment declaring unconstitutional the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

In a televised address to the nation amid the firestorm of criticism that sent his high ratings plunging, Aquino wondered aloud how the SC could declare DAP unconstitutional "Eh, di nila tinalakay ang aming pinagbatayan [when they did not even tackle the basis of our decision to create DAP]? He noted that "until now section 39 is in effect," referring to the provision of the 1987 Administrative Code that he said anchored the decision to create DAP as an economic stimulus program using "savings" pooled from slow-moving projects in 2011 and 2012.

In a comment obviously addressed to the court, Aquino said, "mahirap maintindihan ang desisyon ninyo [it's hard to understand your decision]." He added, "you had done something similar in the past, and you try to do it again; there are even those of the opinion that what you attempted to commit was far graver."

Not bothering to hide his disdain for the 13-0 ruling - for which the Executive has until July 18 to file a motion for reconsideration - Aquino asked, "why do we have to prove good faith? 'Asan ang innocent until proven guilty?"

He refused comparisons between the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or congressional pork barrel, and the DAP, stressing that "with DAP, malinaw na di ninakaw government funds [it's clear money wasn't stolen]."

He expressed hope the SC would eventually discern the "negative effect of its decision.

Lawyers, said the President, had advised him the decision to file a motion for reconsideration was like "shooting for the moon" owing to the 13-0 vote, but he is determined to take that chance.

He then delivered an ominous message to the SC: "we do not want to reach a point where two equal branches of government go head-to-head, needing a third branch to step in and intervene." (With reporting by Dexter San Pedro, InterAksyon.com)

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