Capitol workers biggest losers in DAP controversy

SEVERAL Capitol officials and employees of the Iloilo Provincial Government could be held liable for violation of Comelec Resolution No. 9585, series of 2012, for blindly following orders to disburse financial and educational aid to thousands of Ilonggos during the campaign period for the May 13, 2013 elections.

This was the concern expressed by former Provincial Administrator Manuel “Boy” Mejorada as he asked Dr. Raul N. Banias, current Provincial Administrator, for a copy of a Comelec exemption on the prohibition on the disbursement of public funds during the 45-day campaign period.

“What I have learned so far is that a request filed by Dr. Neneth Pador (Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office chief) was turned down by then Comelec regional director Renato Magbutay,” Mejorada said.

Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr. was quoted in a newspaper report that he was willing to go to jail for violation of the election ban and insisted on giving out funds from the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) even during the 45-day campaign period that started on March 29, 2013.

“That’s very arrogant of Governor Defensor to say that,” Mejorada said. “But did he ever stop to think of the possible consequences on the officials and employees who carried out his orders?”

Mejorada said these officials and employees, especially those from the Provincial Treasurer’s office, could be held equally liable for flaunting at the law.

Mejorada claimed Defensor set a “very bad example” as a public official in openly defying the law. “Is he above the law?” he asked.

He said he will wait for Banias to act on his request for a copy of a Comelec exemption. “I hope and pray that I am wrong about it,” he said.

Mejorada also made similar requests for a copy of any Comelec exemption granted to the province of Iloilo with regional director Atty. Dennis Ausan and Dr. Pador.

He said it is bad enough that Defensor drew millions of pesos from the DAP for his personal political agenda. The DAP, he reiterated, was declared illegal and unconstitutional.

Worse, Defensor used the money as dole-outs during the campaign period, a clear act of vote-buying, he said.

If Defensor failed to obtain an exemption, then he violated the law on three instances. This made Defensor an “incorrigible criminal,” he said.

In previous interviews, Defensor said there was nothing wrong with the way DAP funds were disbursed saying that he is just giving back government funds to the people.

Defensor said his political opponents are rehashing the DAP funds issue for political ends.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

Special thanks to: