Trillanes accused of using DAP to fund ‘ghost’ lamp project

Former Manila Councilor Greco Belgica on Monday accused Senator Antonio Trillanes IV of using his allocation under the discredited Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) to fund a lamp post project that was never implemented.

The former councilor did not give more details about the project and the identity of the municipality so as "to protect our people on the ground."

"[Trillanes] had different projects. Merong totoo merong ding hindi ghost," Belgica said in a text message.

He said he already submitted documents related to the alleged ghost project to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

"We submitted our documents, evidences and investigation reports on all DAP funds involving P144 billion. Isa lang 'yung kay Trillianes dun," said Belgica, convenor of watchdog Coalition for Investigation and Prosecution.

Belgica is a staunch supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte while Trillanes is one of the president's harshest critics.

"We submitted our report to the DOJ so they can validate our information themselves and investigate through the National Bureau of Investigation para fair," Belgica said.

Belgica said another politician connected with the Aquino administration allocated portion of DAP funds for the construction of two bridges in Batangas that also turned out to be a ghost project.

The DAP was the previous administration's purported economic stimulus package which was found illegal by the Supreme Court in 2014 for improper use of savings and inter-branch transfer of appropriations.

Sought for comment, Trillanes dared Belgica to file a case against him before the Ombudsman. —NB, GMA News