Blow to Aquino as Philippines court rules 'pork barrel' fund illegal

The Philippines' highest court ruled yesterday that a widely misused fund for legislators' pet projects was unconstitutional, in an embarrassing blow for President Benigno Aquino, and ordered the money be returned to the Treasury.

The scandal over lawmakers' misuse of "pork barrel" funds has become the biggest crisis of Aquino's three-year rule, tainting his image as a corruption fighter and undermining his ability to push economic reforms.

The Priority Development Assistance Fund has been widely lambasted for channelling money to projects - many of which have turned out to be non-existent - solely to impress voters.

"This will surely hurt the presidency," Institute for Political and Electoral Reforms executive director Ramon Casiple said.

Congressman Ben Evardone, who is from Eastern Samar, one of the provinces hardest-hit by Super Typhoon Haiyan, said the decision would make it difficult to raise funds for reconstruction. "While all sectors of society in the national and international community are in a frenzied mood to look for resources to support the typhoon victims, the Supreme Court appears to be insensitive to our situation," he said.

Aquino, who was supervising relief efforts in Tacloban, was flying back to Manila to talk to aides, his spokesman said.