Senators' reactions mixed over Aquino's decision to keep Abad

MANILA, Philippines - Senators met with mixed reactions the decision of President Benigno S. Aquino III to retain Budget Secretary Florencio Abad in his official family even after the latter has offered resignation following the Supreme Court's decision that found unconstitutional the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

Senators Vicente Sotto III, Antonio Trillanes IV, Grace Poe, Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Sonny Angara said they respect the president's prerogative on Abad's case.

Marcos however said the president should rise above the issue on DAP over his friendship with Abad. 

“Now, I can understand that the president values friendship. However, the people are asking— where is this issue headed? For me, this is beyond friendship," Marcos said.

Marcos said the DAP is an issue of accountability. "Even the president is accountable to the people," he said.

Marcos said it is unfortunate that the President has rejected the Abad's offer to resign.

"That just shows that the president is still very much convinced of the rationale put forth by Secretary Abad on the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), regardless of what the Highest Tribunal of the land said," he said.

Like his other colleagues, Marcos said he respects the president's prerogative to accept or not a resignation put forth by one of his cabinet members. 

"However, the president must do the right thing— at least make Abad answer the nagging questions of the people: where did those funds go? Will Abad be willing to open their records for the people to look at so that there is no more doubt as to where the DAP was used to?" Marcos said when sought for comment.

Until these questions are answered, Marcos said the DAP issue will continue to bedevil this administration until the President’s term ends. "And this is not good for the economy, not good for the people, and especially not good for the country," Marcos added.

While it is the president's prerogative, Poe said the executive department should still be able to explain how the multi-billion DAP funds.

Poe also batted for the special audit of the disbursements under the DAP.

"That is the president's exclusive prerogative. I maintain that what is really important now is Sec. Abad's explanation to the public of the disbursements under DAP and the COA special audit of the same," Poe said.

"This is the only way the public can be assured and enlightened how the billions in public money were spent consistent with the government's claim of good faith," Poe added.

On the contrary, Angara said Abad's decision shows he is sensitive about public opinion.

"The resignation of Abad in the wake of the Supreme Court decision striking down the DAP as unconstitutional shows he has a sense of delicadeza and is not insensitive to public opinion," Angara said.

"As to President's rejection of such a resignation, we cannot fault the President if he feels that Sec. Abad is more of an asset than liability serving in his cabinet," said Angara, chairman of the Senate committee on ways and means.

Trillanes said the President's move reflected how he would strongly support his close allies even if his decision would go against public opinion.

"From a leadership perspective, it is the right thing to do. You don't punish a subordinate for an action that you believe is right and you have adopted yourself," Trillanes said.

"From a political perspective, it will cause a PR crisis. Having said this, I would have done the same," Trillanes said.