A MONTH after Budget Sec. Florencio “Butch” Abad promised to release the first tranche of four opposition lawmakers’ pork barrel, he gave not money, but yet another pledge to release the much-awaited Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF).

In a chance interview, Abad assured that the pork barrel funds for House Deputy Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, Bohol Rep. Arthur Yap, Leyte Rep. Ferdinand  Martin Romualdez and Occidental Mindoro Rep. Ma. Amelita “Girlie” Villarosa will be processed soon.

“Their funds will be released, we are processing their requests,” Abad told this reporter.

However, Abad did not elaborate as to when the PDAF of four lawmakers covering the first tranche in the amount of P35 billion will be released.

It will be recalled that Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr. confirmed that Abad is now processing the release of the second tranche of PDAF worth P35 million also for the majority of lawmakers while nine opposition lawmakers have remained zero-pork.

This promoted Belmonte to call on Abad to make good of his promise to release the pork barrel funds of the so-called nine zero-pork opposition lawmakers as he maintained that he has been working very hard to ensure that all lawmakers will get their PDAF share regardless of party affiliations.

Earlier, the constituents of the nine zero-pork opposition lawmakers condemned in the strongest possible terms the seeming continued discriminatory practice of Abad.

House Deputy Minority Leader and Zambales Rep. Ma. Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay said their constituents were extremely dismayed with Abad after learning recently that the second wave of PDAF is being processed for the majority of lawmakers.