Gov't asks SC to lift TRO on 2013 PDAF

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) has formally asked the Supreme Court (SC) to lift the temporary restraining order (TRO) on the release of lawmakers' pork barrel.

The OSG, which represents the government in cases, said in a comment to the consolidated petitions against the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) that the TRO should be lifted or partially lifted as "reforms are already underway."

The SC issued earlier this month the halt order on the release of lawmakers' pork barrel left in the 2013 national budget amid the alleged PDAF scam involving government officials and businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles.

In its comment, the OSG said the President has officially declared his intent to abolish the pork barrel and has specified his plan to replace it with a defined program of line-budgeting.

It added that Congress is also in the process of adopting a "limited menu with more stringent qualifications for line-item projects" in the 2014 budget.

"The leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives have also officially declared their support for the intent to abolish the PDAF and replace it with a more transparent, accountable, and responsive system," the OSG also said in its comment.

Scholarships, pro-poor aid

The OSG also asked the high court to partially lift its halt order on the PDAF release so the funds allocated for student scholarships and medical assistance to indigent patients may be used.

"The issuance of the TRO by the Honorable Court will work to the damage of innocent citizens who rely on the operations of the PDAF for educational and medical assistance," the OSG said.

The SC has set the oral arguments for the consolidated petitions on October 8.

Among the respondents in the consolidated petitions are President Benigno Aquino III, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Senate President Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte

The petitioners are 2013 senatorial candidates Samson Alcantara and Greco Belgica and Pedrito Nepumoceno.