• Palace accepts, respects ‘people’s verdict’ on election
• Palace clarifies malicious report on government spending
• Aquino government determined to neutralize Abu Sayyaf
• There is no ‘Plan B,’ says Palace

“The path of good governance or Daang Matuwid is already established as all presidential candidates spoke out against corruption, and in favor of continuing and expanding present pro-poor programs, and pursuing more initiatives to sustain the strong economy and achieve inclusive growth,” he added.

Secretary Coloma noted the lasting impact of the Daang Matuwid advocacy of the Aquino administration.

“Daang Matuwid may be called different names, but its purpose and spirit will have lasting impact, and continue to shape the consciousness of our people and those that serve them in accordance with the principles of good governance and responsible citizenship,” the Palace official said.

As of Tuesday morning, latest partial and unofficial results showed Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte taking a commanding lead over administration presidential candidate, Manuel Roxas II, while administration vice presidential bet, Leni Robredo, has an estimated 142,000 lead over Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

President Benigno S. Aquino III’s six-year term ends on June 30. PND (jm)

“Walang katotohanan at walang batayan (yan),” Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said about the accusation, pointing out that government expenditure is based on the General Appropriations Act legislated by Congress.

“Ang General Appropriations Act ay binubuo ng iba’t ibang bahagi para sa bawat ahensiya o tanggapan ng pamahalaan. Mayroong PS o personal salaries, meron ding MOOE o miscellaneous and other operating expenses, at merong capital outlay,” Secretary Coloma told reporters during a press briefing at the Palace.

“Sa bagong mga sistema na bahagi ng budget reform, itinakda ng DBM (Department of Budget and Management) ang patakarang ‘the approved budget itself as the release document’… Kapag ito ay effective na, pwede nang ma-release ang mga pondo. Ang ibig sabihin ng pwedeng ma-release, dapat ay sumunod sa mga alituntunin ng pamahalaan, primarily DBM, at saka Commission on Audit,” he explained.

The budget takes effect on the first day of the year, he said, adding that the Aquino administration has been using this system in the past six years.

Citing an example, the Palace official said the budget for employees’ salaries is released in a timely manner, based on the scheduled payroll dates of an agency.

The release of miscellaneous and other operating expenses also have a legal basis, he added.

“Kapag capital outlay naman, kinakailangan ay magsumite ng isang work and financial plan kung paano gagamitin ang capital outlay na ‘yon at kapag in-approve ng DBM, saka lang ibibigay ang authority para magamit ang pondo,” Coloma said.

Calling the accusations against the administration reckless and irresponsible, he said the administration is spending the money in an open, transparent and accountable manner.

There have been reports that 80 percent of the 2016 budget has been spent for campaigning for the administration’s candidates. PND (as)

During a media briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said the administration is determined to achieve this goal but declined to give specific forecast or target dates, given the sensitivity of the combat operations.

“Sabihin na lang natin na hanggang sa kahuli-hulihang minuto ng administrasyong ito ay gagawin ang nararapat, gagawin ang pinakamahusay, at pagkatapos ay isasalin ang responsibilidad, dahil ito naman ay 24 by 7 by 52 — 24 hours, 7 days a week, 52 days,” he said.

“Walang humpay dapat itong pagkilos na ito dahil ang ating tinutukoy ay ang kaligtasan at kapakanan ng mga mamamayang Pilipino laban sa mga pwersa na naghahasik ng ligalig, panganib at kamatayan.”

Secretary Coloma noted that joint military and law enforcement operations are ongoing to free the hostages.

He however declined to give detailed information, given the sensitivity of the tactical operations.

“Pero makaka-tiyak ang ating mga kababayan na buong tapang at buong sigasig na tinutugis ng mga pwersa ng Republika sa kanilang military at law enforcement operations ang mga kriminal at bandidong elemento na iyong nabanggit,” he said.

The bandit group is holding a Canadian, a Norwegian and a Filipino as hostages. A few weeks ago, the Islamist militants beheaded Canadian John Ridsdel after his family failed to meet their ransom demand. PND (as)

“Masyado yatang malawak na imahinasyon ang ginagamit sa ganyang mga scenario,” Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a press briefing on Tuesday.

There is circulating report that the palace is hatching a “Plan B” in case vice presidential bet Leni Robredo wins the vice presidency.

Coloma said its just a product of the imagination. He said that impeachment could only originate from Congress and there is still no assurance of the composition of a new Congress would be dominated by the administration.

“Para namang ‘di natin binibigyang galang ang institusyon ng Kamara de Representantes kung agad-agad tayong tatalon doon sa ganung konklusyon, ni hindi natin alam kung sino sila…, ang 297 na mga naihalal,” he explained.

This kind of thinking is reckless and irresponsible, he said, adding it’s also a waste of time.

“Baka naman waste of time din ‘yun na binibigyang pansin pa natin. Samantalang, meron namang mga mas makubuluhang suliranin o paksa na pwede nating harapin,” he said.

Robredo and Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. are fighting for the vice presidency, with Robredo ahead in the counting with around 200,000 votes as of Tuesday afternoon. PND (as)