MANILA: President Aquino is set to appear on national television tomorrow to explain “current national issues that touch upon the principles of good governance,” as the controversy over the pork barrel scam and the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) continues to bedevil his administration, Malacañang announced yesterday.
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr said Aquino “wishes to talk to his bosses” on national television at 6pm.
Aquino’s address — to be delivered from Malacañang — is expected to focus on the uproar caused by the pork barrel scam and the Supreme Court’s ruling declaring portions of the DAP unconstitutional. His rejection of Budget Secretary Florencio Abad’s resignation had also earned him criticism.
His TV appearance tomorrow would be his second concerning DAP and the Priority Development Assistance Fund or PDAF, the official term for the congressional pork barrel.
“He understands the varied reactions to his decision not to accept Secretary Abad’s resignation and he would like to engage the people in continuing dialogue that will enable them to understand the key issues better and make informed decisions,” Coloma said.
Stung by his being labelled “pork barrel king” by critics, Aquino in October last year lashed out at what he described as attempts by his political foes to muddle the issue concerning PDAF and DAP.
It was Abad who revealed that they had assigned funds for lawmakers’ projects to accelerate spending and spur economic growth after Senator Jinggoy Estrada, one of those indicted in the pork barrel scam for plunder and other charges, accused the Aquino administration of giving them extra allocation a few months after the conviction of then chief justice Renato Corona for betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution.
Estrada said he thought what was given them was pork barrel funds as he was not aware then of funds released through DAP.
“We are not the same,” Aquino said in a televised address to the nation at that time, apparently referring to his predecessor Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her officials. “I have never stolen. I am not a thief.”
He blamed those accused of stealing public funds for sowing confusion and wanting to dismantle everything his administration had worked so hard to achieve.
Asked about the public’s reaction to Aquino’s justification of his rejection of Abad’s resignation, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over radio dzRB that Coloma would be able to give accurate figures. Reports said 93 percent of netizens had expressed disapproval of Aquino’s decision.
The Philippine star
