Aquino must face raps as DAP 'architect,' says solon

MANILA - Former President Benigno Aquino III must face administrative charges for using government savings on priority projects without congressional approval, a lawmaker said Wednesday.

Bayan Muna pary-list Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said he would appeal the exclusion of Aquino from his former budget secretary, Florencio Abad's indictment for usurpation of legislative powers.

"Kami po ay tiyak na maghahain ng motion for reconsideration dito sa Ombudsman," Zarate told DZMM.

(We will surely file a motion for reconsideration.)

The Aquino government started the Disbursement Acceleration Program or DAP in 2014 to speed up state spending by shifting funds to fast-moving projects. Its critics argued that under law, only Congress has the authority to allocate funds.

The Ombudsman, citing lack of jurisdiction, cleared Aquino and former budget undersecretary Mario Relampagos.

Zarate accused Aquino of being the "architect" of the DAP because documents showed that he chose the projects to be funded.

"If the agent, Abad, is liable, dapat liable din yung principal (the principal should also be liable)," he added.