MANILA, July 13 (PNA) — A Catholic prelate said President Benigno Aquino III has the right to give his own opinion or decision on issues involving members of his Cabinet.
“I believe the President knows his men and so he is entitled to his decisions,” said Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco in a text message.
The bishop is reacting on the decision of the Chief Executive not to accept the resignation of Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Florencio Abad amidst the ruling of the Supreme Court declaring portions of the Disbursement Acceleration Fund (DAP) as unconstitutional.
The DBM chief filed his resignation on Thursday.
Malacanang said the reason why the President did not accept the resignation is that it would give the notion that DAP was a mistake.
On the other hand, the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC) echoed the prelate’s statement saying that it is understandable that the President trust his men.
“That is understandable that he trusts his Cabinet and accepting resignation will be taken as admission of wrongdoing and P-Noy shows that he is loyal to his men though they become political deadweights,” said Bishop Efraim Tendero, PCEC national director.
He added, “The President should hold his men accountable for leading him to what is unconstitutional and at least call for the full disclosure of how DAP funds were allocated and used in order to show truthfulness to ‘tuwid na landas’ (straight path).”
With this, Tendero said that Aquino must show the people that he is supporting the abolition of the pork barrel and to prosecute those who were involved whether they are member of his party or not.
“P-Noy must demonstrate by words and actions that he is committed to abolish the pork barrel system in all its forms, and that he will lead actively, not just support, the prosecution of all pork barrel scammers, past and present,” the priest said.
The PCEC is the largest network of evangelical denominations, local churches and parachurch and missions organizations in the country. (PNA)