Budget of the Government. The amount allocated for PDA in the fiscal year 2013 totaled for 24. 7 billion pesos with each member of the House of Representatives receiving 70 million pesos and members of the Senate with 200 million each. This fund traces its roots from the Countrywide Development Fund of the Administration of Pres. Corcoran Aquinas. During the Ramose Administration, it is said that the funds were used by the President to sustain his control in the congress. The result of this was the growing criticisms against the release of such funds.
When President Joseph Stared stepped-up as the president, he promised the abolishment of this funds. To show their sincerity, the congress abolished the CDC but was virtually revived with the name of Priority Development Assistance Fund. L This year, the public was outraged by the discovery of the 10 Billion Pork Barrel scam which was allegedly done through the initiative of Mrs.. Janet Limit-Napoleons. This crime exposed by Bencher Lully was described by Seen. Miriam Defenses-Santiago as the “Crime of the Millennium”. B. Stand:
As an advocate of progress, I am not in favor for the abolition of PDA or Pork barrel. Considering its legality, the existence of this fund is indisputable because the Supreme Court, the highest court of the land, already ruled in favor for the existence of this fund. That was held in the Case of LAMP vs.. DB, and following the principle of Stare Decides, we should follow the decision of the court which already adjudged the matter at hand. Furthermore, many citizens, especially the indigent and the people from poor provinces and municipalities are benefiting from such fund.
Moreover, the abolishment of this fund would disintegrate the projects needed by the people. C. Recommendation: In line with the Status Quo and the arguments I stated in my stand, I am recommending for the Non-abolishment of this funds. Furthermore, Guidelines for such funds are already provided in the constitutions and the Department of Budget and Management. Moreover, strict implementation of such guidelines is needed to guarantee the safeguard of this fund from corruption. Stand paper on the Priority Development Assistance fund By VS. Rammer-Pedro
