Just like last year, two board members will not get a Community Development Assistance Fund (CDAF) from Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. because they belong to the opposition.

Defensor admitted that he has started distributing the P1 million CDAF to 11 board members of this province so they could start implementing projects in their respective districts.

However, the CDAF of Board Members Nielo Tupas, Fifth District; and Gerardo Flores, First District, was given directly to their district's municipalities down to the barangay level.

Tupas is the son of former Gov. Niel Tupas while Flores is known as an ally of Tupas.

The governor emphasized that the granting of CDAF is under his discretion.

But, he added that he might give them a fund if they will ask for forgiveness and pledge support to his administration.

"If God could forgive those who have sinned against him, who I am to not do that?" he said.

CDAF could be used for different projects such as infrastructure and basic services like health, education and beautification.

'NOT INTERESTED'

Meanwhile, in a phone interview with BM Tupas, he said that he is not anymore interested with the CDAF from the governor.

"I will not beg for any allocation from the governor," he said.

Tupas also clarified that though he did not receive his CDAF, he is still able to implement projects for his district through the Priority Development Assistance Fund of his brother, Fifth District Rep. Niel Tupas Jr.

"Through my brother's PDAF, I was still able to implement projects for the people of my district," he added.

Each lawmaker is given a yearly allocation of P70 million for his/her PDAF also known as pork barrel to fund priority programs and projects on infrastructure, health, education and social aid packages for his/her district.

Tupas stressed that he is already aware that the governor will not give him his CDAF, but clarified that it would be okay as long as the people truly benefit from it.

Meanwhile, Flores said the fund is very beneficial to his constituents in the First District of Iloilo. He, however, said if the governor has decided to distribute it directly to the people instead of giving it to him, he will not object as long as all the transactions are transparent.

In 2010, all board members including Tupas and Flores have received their 1M CDAF.*with reports from Karen Bermejo