Pacquiao to probe DSWD over 4Ps

Sen. Manny Pacquiao. (Contributed photo)

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Manny Pacquiao has vowed to probe the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) implementation of its conditional cash transfer program as part of his anti-corruption drive.

Pacquiao made the remark as he backed detained Sen. Leila de Lima’s bid to probe alleged irregularities in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

De Lima has filed two resolutions seeking a probe of alleged irregularities and lapses into the DSWD’s implementation of the 4Ps.

“There should be a probe into that. I sought a Senate investigation into the 4Ps and the cash aid before. There are many anomalies and there is big corruption there … But it did not push through so we should investigate it,” Pacquiao said in a press briefing in Catarman, Northern Samar.

In July 2021, Pacquiao alleged that there was corruption in the DSWD when it entered into an agreement with e-wallet app Starpay to disburse funds for the government’s social amelioration program.

He also claimed that P10.4 billion in COVID-19 pandemic aid was missing as only 500,000 of the 1.8 million beneficiaries downloaded the app and claimed the money.

Pacquiao vowed to probe deeper into the issues hounding the DSWD if he is elected president this year.

“If I win the elections, the corrupt ones in government will be reduced to tears. Mark my words,” he added.

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