MANILA, Nov. 21 (PNA) — The Aquino government will comply with the decision of the Supreme Court (SC) declaring the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) unconstitutional, said Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr.
“As we speak now, the Office of the President has not received an official copy of the full text of the Supreme Court decision. Since it is the duty of the Executive branch to fully — to ensure full compliance with the directives of the Supreme Court, it is essential that we have a comprehensive appreciation of the entire meats and bounds of the decision, so that we will faithfully comply with the Supreme Court’s directives,” Coloma said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Thursday.
The Supreme Court, voting 14-0-1, has declared the “pork barrel” system unconstitutional. The magistrates ruled in favor of a slate of petitions challenging the discretionary funds’ legality.
Coloma said the government will study the decision once it is able to receive a copy from the SC to be able to fully comply with the magistrates’ ruling.
“Katulad po ng aking nabanggit sa simula ng ating talakayan, hindi pa po nakakakuha ng opisyal na sipi ng buong teksto ng Supreme Court decision. Ang available po ngayon sa mga online sources ay ang dispositive portion na ipinahayag ng spokesperson ng Supreme Court, si Attorney Theodore Te. Kaya sa amin pong assessment, mas makabubuti kung maging ganap ‘yung pag-aaral ng buong desisyon ng Supreme Court,” he said.
The Communications Secretary reiterated that the government is stepping up in the right direction in reform the country’s bureacracy.
“Makailang ulit na po binanggit ng ating Pangulo na kaisa ang pamahalaan ng mga mamamayan na nagpahayag ng kanilang matibay na paninindigan laban sa korapsyon, ‘yung matibay nilang paninindigan para sa mabuting pamamahala na nakabatay sa transparency and accountability,” he said. (PNA)