Koko joins call to bar politicians in aid distribution activities

Frontline workers from San Juan receive cash on August 27, 2021 during the distribution of financial assistance to medical and non-medical personnel involved in the COVID-19 response. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/fileSenate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III has joined the growing calls to bar politicians during government aid distribution, especially if the assistance is in the form of cash.

“Pag actual distribution na ang cash assistance dapat umalis na ang politico,” Pimentel said in a text message Friday, when sought for his reaction about the involvement of politicians in aid distributions like that of the AICS (Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation) and TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers).

AICS distribution mainly falls under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) jurisdiction, while TUPAD belongs to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

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Pimentel said, if politicians are guests of the aid distribution program organizers, they must only be allowed during “waiting time".

It should also be clear to the people what office was the source of the fund, the senator said.

“Basta klaro sa lahat na pera ng taong bayan ang pinamimigay at hindi ito private money. At saka dapat DSWD o DOLE employee o staff ang nagi-implement ng program,” Pimentel pointed out.

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Assistance to the poor, like the controversial AKAP or Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program, must only be concentrated on the jobless, Pimentel also said.

Senator JV Ejercito earlier raised the same point that politicians must be barred from taking part in government aid distribution like that of AICS and TUPAD, citing that only the appropriate agencies must to distribute the fund.