Palace: Gov’t ready to defend DAP before SC

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda. Screenshot from May 14 press briefing.

MANILA — The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) is prepared to defend the legality of President Benigno S. Aquino III’s discretionary fund, Malacanang on Wednesday said.

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda stressed this as the Supreme Court is expected to finally come out with a ruling on the constitutionality of the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) first week of July.

“As far as we know, Solicitor General will be prepared to respond to any decision of the Supreme Court as he is mandated to do,” he said in a press briefing.

Lacierda said if the court’s decision is not favorable to the government, “then we will take the necessary measure to look into it and see what legal remedies we can avail of.”

“But right now, it’s too early to say. We will wait for the decision of the Supreme Court,” he said.

Lacierda said the Palace respects the independence of the courts.

Conceptualized in September 2011, the DAP is a stimulus package designed to fast-track public spending and push economic growth.

This covers high-impact budgetary programs and projects which will be augmented out of the savings generated during the year and additional revenue sources.

The OSG, in an earlier comment, said the DAP came from legitimately generated savings of government and the unprogrammed fund authorized in any relevant General Appropriations Act (GAA).