MANILA: Several religious groups believe the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Programme (DAP) fund of President Aquino is illegal. Christian sects Yeshua Change Agents (YCA), Bible Mode and Capitol Christian Leaders (CCL) filed last Friday a seventh petition seeking to declare DAP unconstitutional.
YCA pastor Greco Belgica, a former Manila councillor and losing senatorial candidate, was joined by Bishop Reuben Abante of Bible Mode and Rev Jojo Gonzales of CCL in filing the petition.
Earlier, Belgica also filed another petition questioning the constitutionality of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).
Just like the six earlier petitions against DAP, the Christian sects alleged that the discretionary fund of the President violates the exclusive power of Congress to appropriate funds.
They said the use of the DAP violated Article VI Section 29 (1) of the Constitution, which requires that “no money shall be paid out of the Treasury except in pursuance of an appropriation made by law.”
They cited Department of Budget and Management-National Budget Circular (NBC) 541, particularly its portion that allows the use of the DAP funds “to fund priority programmes and projects not considered in the 2012 budget but expected to be started or implemented during the current year.” The Philippine star
