Priority Development Assistance Fund

During the electoral campaign, then senatorial candidate Antonio Trillanes IV promised to waive his pork barrel as he believes that a legislator has no business in the construction of specific infrastructure projects and the latter practice breeds corruption.

However, prior to assumption of office in June 30, 2007, the 2007 Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allocation for ‘hard’ or infrastructure projects had already been issued to the office of incoming Senator. Hence, Senator Trillanes was forced to program the said fund for specific projects to avoid being realigned by Malacañang.

In 2008, Senator Trillanes completely waived the allocation for ‘hard’ projects from the annual PDAF and has refused to allocate for congressional insertions. Meanwhile, for being a steadfast member of the opposition, the allocation for ‘soft’ or health care/education projects to his office remains unreleased.