Palace defends Rep. Abad over alleged bigger pork allocation

Malacañang on Thursday defended Batanes Rep. Henedina Abad over allegations that she received more pork barrel funds compared to other lawmakers in the House of Representatives.

 

According to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), pork barrel or the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) is a lump-sum appropriation in the annual General Appropriations Act meant to fund the priority development programs and projects of the government.

 

Every year, each congressman is given P70 million in PDAF while each senator gets P200 million.

 

But Abad, wife of DBM Sec. Butch Abad, was reported to have a PDAF of P92.5 million in 2012. This is reportedly even bigger than the PDAF of House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte.

 

During a press briefing on Thursday, however, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the current PDAF for each lawmaker may vary depending on their use the previous year.

 

"Every year, you are given P70 million. [The end amount] depends on your use. It’s rolled over," he said.

 

The Palace official said that this is called a continuing appropriation, which applies to all congressmen.

 

"It’s not only Batanes. The P70 million is given to each congressman regardless of the size of the constituents because you identify the projects that are needed in your district; and if it’s not utilized within that year, it can be utilized in the next. Ganoon ‘yon," he said. —KG, GMA News