Ombudsman orders probe on Abad for DAP

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday ordered the preliminary investigation for the criminal and administrative charges against Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Florencio "Butch" Abad.

According to its Twitter account, the Office of the Ombudsman has completed its fact-finding investigation on the utilization of the funds for the Disbursement Acceleration Program.

DBM Undersecretary Mario Relampagos will also be investigated in connection to the DAP fund.

Abad and Relampagos will face probe for the P400 million DAP releases from 2011 to 2012.

The DBM secretary allegedly illegally released funds worth 250 million to the House of Representatives while Relampagos released P143.7 million to the Commission on Audit.

A few weeks ago, the Ombudsman started an investigation on Abad and President Benigno Aquino III for the controversial DAP.

However, Malacañang reminded that the president is immune from lawsuit.

RELATED: Ombudsman probes Noy, Abad for DAP; immunity raised