Roque on Noynoy indictment: Why only now?

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque on Thursday questioned the amount of time it took the Office of the Ombudsman to order the indictment of former President Benigno Aquino III in connection with the Disbursement Acceleration Program.

Aquino and his former budget secretary, Florencio Abad, are set to face trial at the Sandiganbayan for usurpation of legislative functions, an offense that carries the penalty of six months to six years in prison.

Roque, a lawyer, wondered why the Ombudsman only pushed for the indictment four years after the Supreme Court (SC) declared unconstitutional some parts of Aquino's purported economic stimulus program.

"I personally am asking why it took all this time before anyone could be charged with DAP," Roque said at a Palace news briefing.

"I think it's been four years since the decision came out and number two, again, some quarters are already asking why only usurpation which is punishable only by six months," he added.

He said that the Ombudsman should have taken into account allegations that the DAP was used to bribe senators who ousted then Chief Justice Renato Corona in 2012.

"I could only surmise because wala sigurong personal benefit kaya ginawa nilang usurpation pero dapat po siguro kinunsedera rin na 'yung personal benefit hindi naman benepisyo sa sariling bulsa," Roque said.

The Palace official added that more Aquino allies should be charged in relation to the controversy.

"I am sure po marami pang dapat kasuhan na hindi pa nakakasuhan at iyon po ang tinutukoy ng Presidente na may hawak siyang mga dokumento, dahil ito po ay mga kaalyado ng dating administrasyon na hindi po nakasuhan," Roque said, referring to President Rodrigo Duterte's allegation on Wednesday that Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has been practicing selective justice.

Roque, however, conceded that it was the Ombudsman's call on what charges to file against Aquino and Abad.

"We are still nonetheless pleased that again the Ombudsman has filed information to bring about accountability even from one who was the highest officer of the land, former President Noynoy Aquino," Roque said.

Key provisions of the DAP had been nullified by the SC in 2014 for pooling funds even before the end of the fiscal year, using savings to aid offices outside the Executive branch and funding projects not under the national budget.

The high court also declared illegal the tapping of unprogrammed funds without following certain procedures.

Aquino, through his spokesperson Abigail Valte, questioned the findings of the Ombudsman even if the camp of the former president has yet to receive a copy of the resolution.

"We are yet to receive a copy of the Ombudsman’s decision. We’re quite curious to study how the Office arrived at a reversal of its previous decision finding no liability on the part of Former President Aquino,” Valte said in a text message.

Abad, meanwhile, said he respects the Ombudsman decision and "will make preparations accordingly."

For its part, Aquino and Abad's political party, Liberal Party, said the former president will show "before all court and until the very end of the process" that he did not commit any illegal act.

"He will respect the process, as he expects that his reasoning be also given due course," the LP said in a statement. — NB/BM, GMA News