Petition vs Akap gains more support

THE Federation of Free Workers (FFW) expressed support for the petition filed by opposition coalition 1Sambayan before the Supreme Court, questioning the constitutionality of the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (Akap).

"Akap represents a resurgence of the pork barrel system, which was struck down as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court," FFW president and senatorial candidate Sonny Matula said. The Akap program is a P26-billion aid initiative that allows legislators to refer their constituents to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for financial assistance. Under the initiative, P21 billion was assigned to the House of Representatives and P5 billion to the Senate. Matula said the program violates the doctrine established in the Araullo vs Ochoa case, which ruled that the Priority Development Assistance Fund was unconstitutional for breaching the principle of separation of powers and allowing legislators post-enactment authority over public funds — an executive function. "Congress is doing it again. Its members are attempting to revive what the Supreme Court has already declared unconstitutional," Matula said. 1Sambayan's legal efforts were led by former Supreme Court senior associate justice Antonio Carpio and former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales. "Justice Carpio, Carpio-Morales and the others in 1Sambayan are doing the right thing. We must support them to uphold the Constitution and ensure that public funds are distributed equitably, based on need — not political favor," Matula added.