Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III defended President Aquino for steadfastly insisting on the constitutionality of the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).
Speaking at the Liga ng mga Barangay Cebu Chapter annual convention, Davide said he understood the President’s sentiments on the issue since DAP has contributed much on the country’s economic growth.
“From what I understand, DAP is a program, not a project. When the president assumed office in 2010, the budget for the year was already implemented as well as the budget for 2011,” he said.
“His financial team saw a lot of projects that were progressing slowly that was why they started DAP to fast-track projects. We can see its effects in our rising economic growth. That’s why the president said he cannot understand why SC came up with the decision,” added Davide who is Aquino’s ally.
The Supreme Court earlier found some parts of the DAP, particularly its implementation, as unconstitutional.
Cool and calm
Davide also stressed that the President was “cool and calm” when he made a televised speech defending the DAP contrary to reports that the president was combative and angry.
“During his speech, the president was very calm. I read in the newspapers that he was combative and angry, that is not true. He was cool and calm and vented his feelings,” he said.
Davide and Aquino are members of the Liberal Party (LP).
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