(Eagle News) — The Ombudsman has found probable cause to indict former President Benigno Aquino III for usurpation of legislative powers over the disbursement acceleration program.
On Wednesday, June 20, the anti-graft body also announced it denied the motion for reconsideration filed by former Budget Secretary Butch Abad of its earlier decision that he be indicted for violation of Article 239 of the Revised Penal Code in connection with the same.
The Ombudsman also then found Abad guilty of simple misconduct.
“A re-evaluation of the case establishes that the individual actions of respondent Aquino and respondent-movant Abad showed a joint purpose and design to encroach on the powers of Congress by expanding the meaning of savings to fund programs, activities and projects under the DAP,” the Ombudsman quoted a resolution issued on May 22, 2018 as saying.
The charges against Abad and Aquino stem from the issuance of National Budget Circular (NBC) No. 541 that authorizes the “withdrawal of unobligated allotments” of agencies with low levels of obligations as of June 30, 2012.
According to the Ombudsman, covered are P72 billion in public funds.