MANILA: Days after President Aquino appeared on national TV to defend the Disbursement Acceleration Programme (DAP) and castigate his critics, Malacañang made clear yesterday he remains firm in his position and is not about to temper with fiscal powers.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte maintained that Aquino’s power over savings — from which funds are drawn for DAP — is justified under the 1987 Constitution, contrary to what his critics are saying.
“I’m not sure what kind of action they’re calling for because that would require a constitutional amendment,” she said, referring to calls for clipping the president’s fiscal powers.
She said Aquino is mindful of how taxpayers’ money is spent, and has put measures in place “that would limit his powers over funds that are controlled by the executive. Another indication of Aquino’s prudent use of fiscal powers is his limiting the use of the Malampaya funds to energy projects. Agencies
