Aquino’s defense of DAP an insult to all Filipinos

President Aquino’s primetime defense of the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) was full of thick-faced lies and was an insult to the Filipino people.

Mr. Aquino pointed at a deer, and then called it a horse by saying the DAP, which was pooled from “savings,” was legal and had helped the poor. He conveniently did not mention the fact that he used DAP to bribe senators and congressmen to the tune of P50 million to P100 million each to impeach Chief Justice Renato Corona and to protect his and his family’s interests in Hacienda Luisita.

The list of DAP projects he released smacks of a cover-up attempt; it also confirms that the DAP is indeed “pork” that was allotted for pet projects, favorite provinces, landlord “compensation” and ghost projects.

Mr. Aquino, like a mad megalomaniac, still believes that his “popularity” allows him to commit any wrongdoing and makes him immune to any type of accountability. Like a king, he attacks and threatens the Supreme Court; and like a spoiled hacendero, insists on his own twisted interpretation of the law.

Contrary to what Aquino said in his speech, the Priority Development Assistance Fund and DAP are both pork barrel; and both are lump-sum appropriations used for political leverage. The only difference is that the DAP is 10 times bigger.

Mr. Aquino’s defense of the DAP was the state of the nation. We have a corrupt, arrogant administration stealing from the people, diverting funds in violation of the Constitution and then arrogantly defending the transgression and asking the public to thank him for it.

The writing’s on the wall; the Aquino administration’s downfall is inevitable. The movement for Mr. Aquino’s ouster will continue to grow stronger as the oppression and exploitation of the Filipino people continue on the “tuwid na daan.” The people will hold Mr. Aquino, as well as all those involved, accountable for their actions. Now na!

And it will all be done “in good faith.” No more “porking,” Mr. President.

—VENCER CRISOSTOMO,

national chair,

Anakbayan

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