President Aquino remains committed to carrying out reforms, says official

Pres. Benigno Simeon Aquino III (Malacañang Photo Bureau)

MANILA — The Palace on Thursday assured that despite the controversy surrounding the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), President Benigno S. Aquino III is determined to uplift the lives of the people during the remaining years of his administration.

Responding to questions if the President’s successive speeches on the DAP would bolster the motion for reconsideration that has been submitted to the Supreme Court, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the Chief Executive’s intention is to explain to his “bosses” the developments regarding the issue.

“Pero sa kabila nang iyan, nais ko lamang ilahad dito na buong-buo ang determinasyon ng Pangulo na patuloy na isulong at ipatupad ang mga programa sa reporma na naumpisahan na,” Coloma said.

“At dahil kulang na sa dalawang taon ang nalalabi, ibayong pagsisikap ang maaari nating asahan sa pagsulong ng mga reporma at pagbabago, dahil napakarami pang dapat na gawin at umiikli ang panahong nalalabi,” he added.

The President has defended the DAP during a televised address on July 14, during a dialogue with the business community the following day, and during the commemoration of Apolinario Mabini’s birth anniversary in Tanauan City, Batangas on Wednesday.

Asked if the ongoing Senate inquiry on the DAP would strengthen the Palace’s position on the issue, Coloma said the Cabinet secretaries who attended the investigation provided the legislators sufficient information with utmost transparency.

“Siguro ay wala namang kaduda-duda na hayag na hayag, bukas na bukas at very transparent ang pamahalaan sa pagpapaliwanag at sa pagtugon sa lahat ng maaaring maitanong tungkol sa Disbursement Acceleration Program,” Coloma said.

The Executive branch last week filed a motion for reconsideration, asking the High Court to reassess its decision.