Vice President Leni Robredo. (File photo by KATRINA HALLARE / INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines — Government funds should be used for the specific purpose they have been appropriated, Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo on Sunday in relation to reports that over P5 million was taken from the Marawi rehabilitation fund to finance the 2018 hajj of some of the city’s displaced residents.
The Commission on Audit (COA) earlier questioned the transfer of over P5 million funds from the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), which was supposedly for rehabilitation projects in Malawi, to the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos.
The funds were then used to cover the expenses of survivors of the Marawi City siege who took part in the hajj, the annual pilgrimage of Muslims to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
READ: HUDCC may face malversation raps over Marawi fund diversion
“Kung for rehabilitation, dapat gastusin siya sa rehabilitation din,” Robredo said in her weekly radio show, BISErbisyong LENI, aired over AM radio station DZXL. “May sinasabi iyong pamahalaan na parati namang, parang taun-taon, mayroon naman talagang tinutulungan sa gastos pagpunta doon sa pag-participate sa hajj. Wala namang kuwestiyon dito. Pero bakit hindi siya kunin doon sa naka-budget talaga for that?”
[If it’s for rehabilitation, the money should be spent for rehabilitation. The government says that it has always been helping finance the expenses of those who participate in the hajj. There’s no question about that. But why not get it from funds specifically set aside for that?]
“Kasi ito, kung rehabilitasyon, para dapat ito sa rehabilitasyon. Dapat sana pampagawa noong mga bahay, noong mga, ‘di ba, noong mga bakwit na apektado sa Marawi siege. Dapat sana pag-umpisahan ng pampagawa ng mga paaralan na nasira. Dapat sana pagpagawa noong central business district para may hanapbuhay ulit iyong mga tao,” she added.
[This is supposed to be for rehabilitation. It’s supposed to be for the construction of houses for the evacuees affected by the Marawi siege. It‘s supposed to be for the construction of schools that were destroyed. It’s supposed to be for the reconstruction of the central business district so that people can start working again.]
Robredo also touched on the issue of the separation of church and state.
“Pagdating sa religious na mga activities, very thin line iyan. Eh, kasi mayroon tayong separation of church and state. So parating may katanungan na: “Puwede bang gumastos iyong pamahalaan sa isang religious exercise?” Robredo said.
[There’s a very thin line when it comes to religious activities. We have the separation of church and state. There’s always the question: Can the government spend for a religious exercise?]
The Vice President, however, clarified that her sole issue was the transfer of funds. She was not question giving help to Muslims who would wish to take part in the hajj.
“Maaaring puwede iyong assistance. Parang i-set aside na natin kung religious siya o hindi. Pero iyong pinakapunto iyong ginastos na pera. Hindi doon nakalaan,” Robredo said.
[We can probably allow assistance and set aside the question of whether it’s a religious activity or not. But the point is the money was spent for something it was not allocated for.]
“Agree naman tayo na kailangang tumutulong sa lahat, eh – lalung-lalo na kasi ang exercise na ito, napakahalagang bahagi ng buhay pananampalataya. Pero iyong sa atin lang, bilang kawani din ng pamahalaan, alam natin na dapat iyong pera kukunin kung saan siya nakalaan,” the Vice President added.
[We agree that we should help everybody — especially in this exercise, which a valuable part of spiritual life. But for me, as a government official, I know the money should be sourced from the proper funding.]
She then suggested that a separate budget could be given to the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo earlier said the HUDCC could face technical malversation charges if the transfer of funds could be proven.
President Rodrigo Duterte said, however, that jailing HUDCC Secretary Eduardo del Rosario would mean he and his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, could also end up in jail.
This, the President said, would spark a revolt in Mindanao.
“So ngayon, sabihin ko kay COA: ‘Wag mo’ng presuhin ‘yang si Del Rosario. Kasi kung presuhin mo, pati ako ma-demanda. Pati si Inday,” Duterte said in a speech during the celebration of Eid’l Fitr in Davao City. “Pag nademanda ang anak ko pati ako, ma-preso ako, mag-revolt kami uli dito sa Mindanao. Kayo ang bahala.”
So now, I will tell COA: Don’t jail Del Rosario. Because if you get him in jail, then I will also be prosecuted. And so will Inday. If my daughter and I get prosecuted and jailed, then we will again revolt in Mindanao. It’s up to you.]
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(Editor: Alexander T. Magno)