Chiz says SC TRO or none; Senate withholds PDAF release

By Office of Senator Chiz Escudero
September 10, 2013

PASAY CITY – As far as the Senate is concerned, the Supreme Court’s (SC) temporary restraining order (TRO) against the release of this year’s remaining priority development assistance funds (PDAF) is moot and academic, Senator Chiz Escudero said.

Escudero, chairman of the Senate committee on finance said prior to the freshly issued TRO on PDAF, the Senate has been withholding its disbursement following President Benigno S. Aquino III’s announcement that all pork releases will be suspended while an investigation is being conducted into the alleged funds misuse.

The Supreme Court, in an en banc decision today stopped the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) from further disbursing PDAF and Malampaya funds for this year.

“Since the announcement of the President and the Senate President as well, we have not been processing nor endorsing any PDAF release request for the second semester. In fact, even the balance left for the first semester won’t be released anymore”.

The senator said that he expects the senate committee on rules to start tackling all the proposed measures related to the abolition of PDAF in the next few weeks.

“This is the third time that the SC has ruled on PDAF disbursement. Even if there is no understanding in Congress to withhold PDAF prior to the TRO, we also have no choice but to do as the court rules”.