Palace: Aid, food packs must bear no names of gov’t officials

MANILA, Philippines — There should be no names of local officials plastered on aid or food packs being distributed to the public during the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine, Malacañang said Tuesday.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo echoed President Rodrigo Duterte’s call in his latest public address that distribution of assistance should not be politicized.

“Hindi nilalagyan ng mga pangalan, siyempre galing sa gobyerno. Dapat wala nang pangalan,” Panelo said in an interview over Radyo Pilipinas.

(There shouldn’t be names, of course, it came from the government. There should be no names.)

“Kaya nga sinabi ni Presidente, walang pulitika-pulitika diyan eh,” he added.

(That’s why the President said there should be no politics there.)

During his public address late Monday night, the President warned that he will detain officials who will mismanage or corrupt aid for the public amid the state of national emergency due to COVID-19.

“If you play politics and I find out that’s what you did, I will suspend you. And for those who are really absconding with the money, I will detain you. Maybe I will release you after COVID ends,” Duterte said.

Panelo also reminded local officials not to discriminate when distributing aid and that all constituents should be able to receive assistance.

“Dapat lahat ay tatanggap, wala tayong i-exempt diyan, kailangan lahat ng mga residente or household, kailangan mabigyan,” he said.

(Everyone should be able to receive. We will not exempt anyone. Every resident or household should receive aid.)

Several local government units have started to distribute food aid and extend other assistance to their constituents as a Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine was imposed, forcing the majority of the population to stay indoors and unable to work.

KGA