MANILA - Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda on Monday again denied that the Aquino administration gave additional pork barrel funds to senators who voted to convict Chief Justice Renato Corona in his impeachment trial. Lacierda said the Disbursement Acceleration Program, which is meant to increase spending and help accelerate economic expansion, was not meant as a bribe or incentive for convicting Corona. He said the government has regular releases of the priority development assistance funds (PDAF), which were given to all lawmakers regardless of whether or not they voted for or against Corona. "DAP is not equal to or more PDAF. It is not. This amount goes to implementing agencies. The funds do not go to the lawmakers," he said. He said the DAP is not just for lawmakers but government agencies. He said the bulk of the DAP was used by government agencies, with greater disbursements issued in 2011 due to large government savings. Lacierda said lawmakers who tap the DAP must first submit projects to the Department of Budget and Management for approval. He said DAP is meant for projects that induce spending. The DAP was suspended by the Department of Budget and Management at the same time as the PDAF, he added. ANC, September 30, 2013