Drilon admits taking P100M, insists it's no bribe for Corona conviction

Senate President Franklin Drilon on Sunday admitted receiving P100 million from Malacañang last year as part of the a so-called Disbursement Acceleration Program.

But Drilon, in an interview on dzBB radio, repeatedly insisted it was not a bribe for securing the conviction of impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona last year.

"Hindi ito bribe (This is not a bribe)," he said, adding the DAP was meant to increase spending for faster economic growth.

Besides, he said that in his case, the funds were for infrastructure projects in his home Iloilo province.

Iloilo is vying to be the venue for the Philippines' hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in 2015.

"Magbi-bid kami sa 2015 APEC, walang maayos na kalsada o convention center. Ang perang ito hiningi ko upang magkaroon ng infrastructure program para sa turismo," he said.

"Ito ginamit ko sa tama, infrastructure program (I spent it the right way,  for infrastructure programs)," he added.

He said the DAP's funds did not go straight to the implementing agencies because they were not in the agencies' programs at the time.

Drilon was one of the senators who reportedly received funds from the DAP.

Two of three senators who acquitted Corona last year did not get any fund – Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Miriam Santiago. — LBG, GMA News