Pacquiao to ask Comelec permission to give aid to affected families in Taal

Sen. Manny Pacquiao. (Contributed photo)

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential candidate Senator Manny Pacquiao will ask the Commission on Elections (Comelec) permission for him to distribute aid to victims of the latest eruption of Taal Volcano.

“Hihingi tayo siguro tayo ng permission sa Comelec na payagan kaming tumulong sa victim ng Taal volcano. Susunod tayo sa regulation ng Comelec para hindi tayo lumalabag sa batas,” he said in an interview at an event of the Christian Coalition Movement on Sunday.

(We will ask permission from Comelec to allow us to give aid to victims of Taal volcano. We will follow Comelec regulations so we will not violate the law.)

Pacquiao said that even though he wants to help, he is being careful because it is a campaign period and he might get disqualified from the presidential race if he violates election rules.

Under the Omnibus Election Code, giving, offering, or even promising money or anything of value is prohibited since it could be considered vote-buying.

Section 13 of Comelec Resolution No. 10747 states that candidates are required to secure a certificate of exception for social welfare projects and services.

“Tutulong tayo, gusto kong makatulong sa lahat ng mga kababayan natin na nangangailangan ng tulong pero campaign period ngayon so mag-ingat din tayo baka mamaya i-disqualify din tayo,” Pacquiao said.

(We will help. I want to help all Filipinos who need help but it is campaign period now so we have to be careful because we might get disqualified.)

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvolcs) has raised Taal Volcano’s status to alert level 3 due after its phreatomagmatic eruption on Saturday.

Alert level 3 means “magmatic intrusion at the main crater may further drive succeeding eruptions.”

Phivolcs said the volcano’s main crater generated a “short-lived phreatomagmatic burst, which was followed by a nearly continuous phreatomagmatic activity that generated plumes 1500 meters accompanied by volcanic earthquake and infrasound signals.”

Residents of barangays Banyaga and Bilibinwang in Agoncillo; Buso-Buso, Gulod, and Bugaan East in Laurel; Palsara in Balete; Quilling in Talisay and Don Juan in Cuenca have evacuated their homes while all activities on Taal Lake were stopped.

At least 1,228 families or 4,143 individuals are still taking shelter in evacuation centers, the Philippine National Police said.

JPV