By Jelly F. Musico
MANILA, Sept. 30 (PNA) – Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. on Wednesday said the Ombudsman’s investigation on the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) funds will provide opportunity to clarify the legal issues for its implementation.
“The conduct of the preliminary investigation provides an opportunity to clarify the legal issues on the implementation of the DAP considering that upon the government’s motion for reconsideration, the Supreme Court upheld the principle of operative fact,” Coloma said in a text message to Malacanang media.
On Wednesday, the Office of the Ombudsman reportedly ordered the preliminary investigation for the criminal and administrative charges against Department of Budget and Management (DBM) officials.
Budget and Management Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad and Undersecretary Mario Relampagos will be investigated in connection with the utilization of the DAP funds amounting to Php400 million from 2011 to 2012.
Last February, the Supreme Court (SC) upholds its July 2014 ruling declaring parts of the DAF funds unconstitutional.
”We affirm our position that the government acted in the public interest,” Coloma said. (PNA)