Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer (Neg. Occ., 4th District) said yesterday that he can no longer give financial assistance to scholars in his district because of a Supreme Court-issued Temporary Restraining Order on the release of the Priority Development Assistance Fund, or pork barrel.

Ferrer, who refused to comment on a rally led by the Diocese of Bacolod for the abolition of PDAF to be staged at the Bacolod Public Plaza on Monday, said he felt sad for those who have been requesting for financial assistance, especially for scholarships because he has no idea when the TRO will be lifted.

“We will abide by the decision on the PDAF but I feel pity for the beneficiaries,” Ferrer said.

He said the TRO should be for politicians found using the PDAF improperly and charges should be filed against them.

However, he said, beneficiaries of politicians who have not done any wrong and whose PDAF really went to the projects, are unfortunate since they could no longer be subsidized.

Meanwhile, Ferrer said they will conduct a second investigation on the alleged assault by a police Special Weapons and Tactics team on the personnel of Aksyon Radyo in Iloilo, recently and another committee hearing will be set for the case.

He also said his previous bills are still pending in congress but he is focusing on his work as chairman of the House Committee on Public Order.*SGG

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