Did senators pull a fast one vs PNoy?

MANILA - Did senators pull a fast one against President Aquino when they decided to realign their priority development assistance funds (PDAF) to government agencies and local government units? A Palace spokesman on Wednesday refused to comment, saying that President Aquino's veto message already noted the conditional implementation of projects funded by the PDAF. The President earlier said specific appropriations for selected LGUs “may not be consistent” with the objectives and prioritization of the Local Government Support Fund. Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said it is up to the senators to explain their intentions on why they decided to realign their previous PDAF to government agencies and LGUs after the Supreme Court ruled that the PDAF is unconstitutional. "As to the propriety of the insertion, I think we will leave it with the legislators to explain that because that was their amendment," he said. He also refused to say if Sen. Jinggoy Estrada will be allowed to again realign his PDAF to the city of Manila and other LGUs. He said senators will have more time to prepare the national budget for 2015. Lawyer Romulo Macalintal earlier said Jinggoy's decision to give half of his P200-million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for 2014 to Manila was illegal and in violation of the Supreme Court ruling. Senator Estrada earlier said the realignment of his funds will benefit Manila and not his father, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada. A total of nine senators "realigned" their PDAF for 2014 but only Estrada realigned his pork barrel funds to local governments. ANC, January 15, 2014