The DAR GAME: Unmasking the "President's Men"

At face value, the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) seems a legit government project aim at giving the public more room for success. But how is it framed is another story to tell. No wonder DAP didn't escape the critics' eyes. Legal cases were filed questioning its legality. President Aquino firmly believes that its implementation does not violate existing laws. But opposition legislators say otherwise. The issue of legality was finally settled as the Supreme Court rendered their decision stating that DAP is unconstitutional. Malacañang will appeal the justices' decision, but political analysts are one in saying that the move is futile. There is a very, very slim chance that the magistrates will reverse the decision.

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Round 1 of DAP game has ended and the oppositions have a clear edge. Round 2 is about to starts in a few days. Both camps are preparing new strategies. For the Aquino government, new tactics to offset whatever gains the critics have over them. For the oppositions, a surprising moves to put an end to this political battle.

Round 2 begins with the opposition legislators (OL)throwing a two-fisted attack. And again, Malacañang was caught napping in defense. The OL concentrates on hitting its rival right in his face, throwing several accusations on who are the real beneficiaries of DAP. They are in hot pursuit in unmasking the "President's Men". The barrage of accusations needs instant reactions from the President Aquino and his so-called 'friends'. Unlike the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) where legislators benefited from their pork, Pnoy stressed that Budget Secretary Butch Abad’s DAP, not a single legislator personally benefits from the program funds. Only the people did. However, oppositions' accusations will prove otherwise. Below are some of the accusations that need genuine answers.

A) Sources said President Aquino and his relatives has benefited from the DAP? The Department of Agrarian Reform confirmed that they released P5.4 billion and some part of it is used for the 'landowners’ compensations of their Hacienda Luisita land. Most of the landowners are the Cojuangcos and Aquinos. Now it is clear why the President insisted on having the then Chief Justice Renato Corona impeached and convicted, even using DAP funds to bribe the senators and congressmen. Pnoy didn’t want a high court ruling against his and his clan’s personal interest.

B) The Inquirer reported as early as last year about an aborted DBM plan to release P475 million to Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon Revilla Jr., Vicente Sotto III, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Loren Legarda through the Department of Agrarian Reform, which refused to act as a conduit. The funds were later rechanneled to the National Livelihood Development Corp. and local government units.

The DBM sources cited the P1. 05-billion Saro issued to the Department of Agriculture in 2011 for farm-to-market roads as among the DAP funds that were showered on legislators. The sources cited glaring omissions in the DBM’s DAP project list, such as the P230 million DAP-Saro for the National Dairy Authority and at least two DAP-Saros for P100 million and P260 million for the Technology Resource Center that they believe went to lawmakers.

C) Sources said Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II has been a major recipient of the Aquino administration’s generosity through the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), including P10 billion for a resettlement project which is not among the mandate of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). These allegations must be answered by Mar Roxas himself.

More to come as they say, and Juan dela Cruz is eager in anticipation for Round 3 to begin. One thing is so sure more "President's Men" heads will roll. I say, let the truth come out in the end.