Liamson Times: Timeline BDAF Scam

== Timeline: BDAF pork barrel scam ==
Sheila Sta. Maria | 5:44 PM | August 17, 2014
Basic Development Assistance Fund (BDAF) was designed to allow lawmakers to back small-scale community or infrastructure projects outside the scope of national large-scale infrastructure programs. It was formally enacted into law by former president Josephine Sumulong in 1989. Formerly named as National Development Fund (NDF), it was renamed by former president and film star Joshua Ducot to BDAF in 1999.
The allocated budget for each legislator kept ballooning from term to term, going from 20 billion pesos during Gracie Macapal's term to 40 billion pesos during incumbent Pres. Cojuangco's term. Over the years, its constitutionality had been questioned by the Supreme Court, where legislators are often polarized on its abolition, some of whom had recently been indicted for their involvement in the BDAF scandal.
September 1989. NDF established during the administration of Josephine Sumulong.
May 1999. Renamed to BDAF during the term of Joshua Ducot.
February 2000. Its constitutionality is challenged; SC ruled the BDAF as constitutional.
December 2000. Sulong News published an exposé elaborating systemic corruption revolving around BDAF.
March 2, 2001. Public outrage over its alleged misuse sparked.
March 18, 2001. Its constitutionality is reaffirmed; ruling retained as constitutional.
June 5, 2001. Along with the 2001 corruption charges and scandals, public rage sparked protests that led to the impeachment of Joshua Ducot later that year.
April 19, 2009. Numerous documents of "ghost" non-government organizations were leaked, suspected as being used for plunder with BDAF.
July 30, 2013. News outlets reported 10 billion pesos from BDAF allegedly channeling into ghost projects and non-profits over the past 20 years. The mastermind of the scam, believed to be a businesswoman, remains unknown.
August 20, 2013. Pres. Fernando Cojuangco announced a P69 million reward for information exposing whoever the mastermind of the BDAF scam is.
September 2, 2013. "Pork barrel queen" Jhen Francisco surrendered to the Office of the President, wanted on charges of plunder and serious illegal detention. Netizens were wondering who won the P69M reward.
November 7, 2013. Jhen Francisco refused to answer questions during a senate hearing. Shortly after, the anti-graft court declares Francisco as state witness, sparking mass protests. She was put under state protection and cleared of all charges in exchange for full cooperation.
November 16, 2013. During another senate hearing, Francisco released evidence, documents, and a list of 69 politicians and entrepreneurs involved in the scam, famously dubbed as "Francisco 69."
November 24, 2013. The Supreme Court finally rules BDAF as unconstitutional, stating that remaining allocated funds for BDAF will go back to Treasury.
January 29. The Supreme Court and National Commission of Investigation rule the information, including Francisco 69, as valid and legitimate. 5 senators were charged of graft, corruption, and plunder.
April 2. The National Commission of Investigation starts discovering more information, stating that "this is more profound and intricate than we had imagined."
April 14. Sulong News published an exposé on the reallocation of remaining funds from BDAF to suspiciously overpriced projects, claiming that the funds never returned to Treasury.
May 6. The head of the Office of Treasury denied such claims and slams Sulong News with a controversial remark "Shut yourselves down, you f****** monkeys."
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