DAP funds were not used for spying political foes–Palace

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

MANILA — The Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) was not used for spying on the opposition, according to Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda on Thursday. 

Reacting to a television statement of Congressman Toby Tiangco, Lacierda said they did not use DAP funds to buy surveillance equipment to spy the opposition. 

“No, we are too busy with governance. Let me assure Congressman (Toby) Tiangco that we are focused on governance,” Lacierda said.

Tiangco,  spokesperson of the United Nationalist Alliance, earlier made a television statement accusing the government of spying on them.

Lacierda, confirming that they bought surveillance gadgets for the World Economic Forum last May, however, denied that they used it for spying on their political rivals.

“Definitely, it was not used for them,” he said.