SC junks plea to gag Noy on DAP sorties

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino can now tour the provinces to explain to the people the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

The Supreme Court (SC) denied yesterday the urgent plea of former lawmaker Augusto Syjuco to stop Aquino from publicly discussing his discretionary funds.

Speaking to reporters, SC spokesman Theodore Te said the justices found no merit in the allegations of Syjuco.

In his 21-page manifestation, Syjuco accused Aquino of violating the sub judice rule  during his television appearance to explain the DAP.

Aquino stands as a respondent in the SC cases to be heard in oral arguments on Monday.

Syjuco asked the SC to enjoin Aquino and any person acting in his behalf from making statements, disclosures and declarations pertaining to matters involving the DAP.

In another motion, Syjuco also asked the SC to require Budget Secretary Florencio Abad to appear in the oral arguments and submit pertinent documents related to the DAP.

The SC also denied this yesterday.

Eight other groups had filed petitions questioning the constitutionality of the DAP: lawyers Jose Malvar Villegas Jr. and Manuelito Luna; Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa); Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP); the militant Bayan Muna, Kabataan and Gabriela party-list groups; Christian sects led by losing senatorial candidate Greco Belgica; Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (Courage); and the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption.