Senator Franklin Drilon. INQUIRER FILES

A “clear political harassment.”

This was how Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon branded on Tuesday the malversation case filed against him in connection with the alleged misuse of the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) funds.

Former President Benigno Aquino III, Drilon, opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and several Cabinet members of the previous administration were among the respondents in the case filed by Presidential Anti-Corruption Commissioner Greco Belgica at the Office of the Ombudsman on Monday.

“Complaint is a clear political harassment, and is expected as we commence 2019 election campaign season,” Drilon said in a text message to reporters.

READ: Ex-President Aquino, former Cabinet officials, senators sued over DAP

“Kalokohan yan,” opposition Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said in separate text message.

Pangilinan, president of Liberal Party, believes that the filing of “fabricated” case against the administration’s critics was just another diversion from the real issue of corruption against certain individuals identified with the Duterte administration.

He noted that until now, no charges have been filed against President Rodrigo Duterte’s allies, who have also been accused of corruption.

“Sa halip na idiin ang mga kritiko, ayusin na lang nila ang walang tigil na pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin lalo na ang bigas at gasolina,” Pangilinan said. /cbb