MANILA – Some lawmakers who joined House Speaker Ferdinand “”Martin” Romualdez in his trips were reportedly given money from government cash aid or ayuda programs.
According to Baguio City’s Mayor Benjamin Magalong, he got the information from reliable sources who were joining Romualdez in his trips where they gave away cash aid to Filipinos.
“It’s about P20 million. Nakaapat ka ba naman eh di 21 times four. That’s P84 million. Eh iilan ‘yang sumasama. Nalaman ng ibang congressman na meron pala niyan, nagsamahan na lahat,” Magalong said in a report by GMA’s 24 Oras.
“How can they disburse this fund na ganoon na lang ba kadali? Palalabasin pa nila, ipaparamdam pa nila sa mga tao na galing sa amin ito, ginagawa ba ‘yan sa iba. Mga ganun pa ‘yung parinig so nakakalungkot isipin,” Magalong said.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), meanwhile, stated that it is impossible that congressmen will distribute the funds from their controversial Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) program.
“Hindi ito posible since kami mismo ang nag di-disburse ng funds for AICS and AKAP. This is done through our social workers, through our workers in the field, sa satellite offices. Pati na rin dito sa central office,” DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary JC Marquez said.
“As for the Department of Health and Department of Labor and Employment, I believe ganun din ‘yun kasi these funds are through the department so the funds are with us and with the respective departments,” he added.
However, the DSWD official further said that it is concerning if their programs’ names are being used for the sake of politics.
“To insulate our programs, as we have mentioned time and again, from politics. So, wala kaming kinikilingan na politician,” Marquez said./PN
