DOJ gets more evidence on DAP anomaly

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday received more evidence on the alleged anomalies in the multibillion-peso Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) during the administration of president Benigno Aquino III.

The coalition of anti-pork barrel groups led by former Manila councilor Greco Belgica, who was recently appointed commissioner of Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, submitted additional documents to the DOJ to build up possible criminal cases against Aquino and other officials.

Belgica said the new evidence they gathered would show a conspiracy between the Aquino administration and some lawmakers involved in the alleged misuse of DAP.

Among the documents submitted by the group to the DOJ were a memorandum on DAP signed by former budget secretary Florencio Abad and official transcript of Senate committee on finance hearing.

“These documents would prove the magic of DAP – that in one day (Oct. 12, 2011) DAP was presented to the Senate, signed by PNoy (Aquino) and printed out in the official gazette and DBM (Department of Budget and Management) website,” Belgica explained.

“This is a clear conspiracy of Aquino, Abad, (former interior secretary Manuel) Roxas, (former transportation secretary Joseph Emilio) Abaya, (senators Franklin) Drilon, (Antonio) Trillanes and (Francis) Pangilinan,” he alleged.

Belgica said they were also able to gather information from several witnesses showing various anomalies in the DAP.

He called on the DOJ to expedite the probe, believing that the evidence gathered so far would suffice to charge the former officials in court.

He lamented how the anomalies in the previous administration are being muddled by some quarters, like the fabricated allegations against special assistant to the President Bong Go in connection with the reported anomalous purchase of two frigates for the Philippine Navy.