MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino's ally Senator Francis Escudero wants Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Sectetary Teresita Deles be held accountable for actions that could have led to the death of soldiers who entered a Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) area in Basilan.

In particular, Escudero wants Deles to account for the designation of "areas of temporary stay" (ATS), which are pockets of areas where the MILF holds influence.

Escudero pointed out that the ATS would have gone unnoticed if not for the incident in Basilan.

Escudero said the ATS concept may be another version of the controversial memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain that was nullified by the Supreme Court as it would have dismembered parts of Mindanao from the rest of the Philippines.

"Kung walang ATS, walang justfication ang MILF para patayin  ang mga sundalo na pumasok sa ATS. Ano batayan ng ATS na may territoryo sa loob ng Pilipinas na iba batas na umiiral na kailangan muna magpaalam ng sundalo at pulis bago pumasok. Paano malalaman ng sundalo na ATS na yun o hindi," he said.

What happened to P5M?

Escudero also wants Deles to account for the basis and source of the release of P5 million in government funds to the Bangsamoro Management Leadership Institute.

He wonders why Deles facilitated the release of the money even if it's a commitment by the previous administration when the Aquino administration has been undoing many of the actions of its predecessor.

"Si Deles ang head ng OPAPP [Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process] nung time ni GMA. Malamang siya nangako, kinumbinse niya si GMA, kinumbinse niya rin ni Pangulong Aquino," the senator said.

"Maraming ginawa nakaaraang admin na di pinatupad ng kasalukuyang admin. Isa ito sa mga di nila dapat pinatupad," he said. "ATS dapat red flag na para sa atin. Di na malayo meron din silang mala-MOA-AD."

Escudero said the P5-million grant is not authorized under the 2011 General Appropriations Act.

Liable for graft?

He said depending on her explanation, deles could be held liable for violation of the Code of Conduct of Government Officials or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Escudero said Deles' office is an advisory office and not an implementing agency.

"Pagbibigay ng P5 million, wala sa budget ng 2011 na pwedeng gumasta ng ganyan. Di naman implementing agency ang OPAPP na parang DSWD o DPWH. Labas yan sa mandato responsibilidad at kapangyarihan ng OPAPP. Saan nila chinarge? Saan galing? Kongreso ang may power of the purse."

He said, "the whole peace process is misguided," and that President Aquino seems "ill-advised by advisers na old school" who "lack exposure in the field."

Escudero said the agreements being entered into by the peace panel are "amateurish."

"Di tama na puro sisi sa nakaraang admin ang gagawin nila," he said.

Senator Franklin Drilon, meanwhile, defended Aquino from observations that he is a weak President based on his handling of the Basilan incident.

"No. I think it takes more strength to pursue peace than to declare war in  this particular case," Drilon said.