FILE PHOTO: Health workers administer swab tests on patients during the Office of the Vice President’s Swab Cab event. Image from Facebook / Vice President Leni Robredo
NAGA CITY, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo has assured the public that she fully understands why the Commission on Elections (Comelec) may need to ban certain programs during the campaign period as it is intended to prevent officials from using public funds for their respective candidacies.
However, Robredo said on Monday that she hopes Comelec can grant an exemption to the Office of the Vice President’s COVID-19 programs because many people depend on their services.
“No’ng kami naman ay nag-appear before the Comelec during the hearing at saka sa memorandum namin, nangako kami na kung ibibigay sa amin ‘yong exemption na ‘yon, sisiguraduhin namin na we will exert all effort para ‘yong attribution ay hindi mabigay sa akin,” she said in an ambush interview after an event in Naga City.
(When we appeared before the Comelec during the hearing and in our own memorandum, we promised that if they would grant that exemption, we would assure that we will exert all effort so that the programs would not be attributed to me.)
“So we perfectly understand, pero at the same time wini-wish din namin na mabigay ‘yong exemptions kasi kung hindi ‘to mabigay, marami talagang, marami ‘yong mga umaasa sa services ng opisina namin na hindi makaka-avail,” she explained.
(So we perfectly understand, but at the same time we wish that they would give us exemptions because if these won’t be granted, many who rely on our services would not be able to avail of it.)
The OVP recently suspended their coronavirus programs, particularly those catering to possible and confirmed COVID-19 patients, while awaiting Comelec’s decision on their appeal.
READ: Robredo suspends COVID-19 response programs
Among the programs hit by the self-imposed suspension is OVP’s Bayanihan E-Konsulta, a telemedicine program where possible COVID-19 patients undergo a virtual triage and are assisted by volunteer medical professionals; the Swab Cab, or the mobile COVID-19 antigen testing facility; and the Vaccine Express, or the drive-thru vaccination program done with the help of local governments.
READ: OVP suspends COVID-19 programs pending Comelec exemption
The OVP in the past has documented how their programs have been of use — and have been swamped — during previous COVID-19 surges.
In early January 2022, after the country faced a quick and sharp uptick in infections due to the Omicron variant, Robredo reported that there were several instances where the Bayanihan E-Konsulta reached the quota of 400 cases per day in a span of minutes after it opened.
READ: Few volunteers hinder Robredo’s telemedicine work
It could be remembered that as early as December 16, Robredo’s team was already preparing their petition before the Comelec to seek an exemption on their COVID-19 programs. As of now, the petition is up for resolution according to Comelec spokesperson Director James Jimenez.
Robredo said that should the Comelec approve their request, she will cease visiting these areas and would further change the motif or color schemes used by their programs so it would not be attributed to her.
“So kung dati personal na nando’n ako sa mga activities na ‘yon, hindi na ako pwedeng pumunta kasi kandidato na ako,” she said.
(So if before I was personally monitoring these activities, now I would not be present there because I am already a candidate.)
“Kung dati may isang itsura ‘yong lahat na ginagamit namin na paraphernalia for those projects iibahin namin para ‘yong attribution — kami naiintidihan namin na kinakailangan ito para hindi nagagamit ‘yong pwesto saka ‘yong funds ng pamahalaan para makatulong sa aking candidacy,” she added.
(If before there was a common appearance used for the paraphernalia of those projects, we would change it so that it won’t be attributed to me — because we understand that we need such safeguards so the government funds would not be used for my candidacy.)
READ: Robredo’s request to allow OVP initiatives during campaign up for Comelec resolution
Under Section 261.v of the Omnibus Election Code, the release of public funds for all kinds of public works is prohibited to avoid government programs or tax-funded initiatives being used for electioneering.
However, the same provision allows certain programs, like emergency work due to calamities and social welfare activities amid disasters to continue even during the official campaign period.
In 2020, the Commission on Audit (COA) flagged the OVP for its slow use of medical assistance funds, which were allocated in 2020 or before the pandemic.
OVP reasoned out, however, that the delays in disbursement were not due to corruption issues, but because they were not allowed to spend funds in 2019 due to it being an election year — as Robredo led the Otso Diretso senatorial slate.