Palace defends presence of 2 mayors in cash aid distribution
MANILA, Philippines — Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro on Monday justified the presence of two city mayors during a recent cash aid distribution event for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers, amid the government’s implementation of an anti-epal policy to prevent political patronage.
On March 17, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. presided over the distribution of P5,000 cash assistance to tricycle drivers in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
READ: Remulla: ‘Epal’ politicians face suspension, administrative cases
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and San Juan City Mayor Francis Javier Zamora were also present and accompanied Marcos during his inspection of the subsidy distribution.
According to Castro, it was just right for Domagoso to attend the activity since it was held in his city.
“Iyon po kasi ay isang event na kung saan ay pinuntahan po ng Pangulo at kinakailangan po nandodoon po ang host. Sa Manila po ginanap kaya nararapat lamang po na si Mayor Isko Moreno ang sumalubong at tumanggap sa ating Pangulo,” she said.
(Because that was an event attended by the President, and it is necessary for the host to be present. Since it was held in Manila, it is only appropriate that Mayor Isko Moreno welcome and receive our President.)
“Tungkol naman po kay Mayor Francis Zamora, siya naman po ang National President of the League of Cities na siyang kumakatawan sa city mayors. So, ibig sabihin po since ito po ay proyekto ng Pangulo para sa mga tricycle drivers kung saan ang LGU [local government unit] mismo ang nakakaalam kung sino iyong mga benepisyaryo nararapat lamang din pong pumunta si Mayor Francis Zamora,” the Palace official justified.
(As for Mayor Francis Zamora, he is the national president of the League of Cities, representing city mayors. This means that since this is a project of the President for tricycle drivers, and the LGU [local government unit] itself knows who the beneficiaries are, it is also appropriate for Mayor Francis Zamora to attend.
When asked whether Marcos is exempt from the anti-epal provision, Castro did not give a direct answer.
“That is the event of the President, so he should at least show the people that the government is running, the government is properly managed for the country and for the people,” she said.
“So, dapat makita siya, dapat nakikita ang Pangulo, dahil ang pagpapakita ng Pangulo ay pagpapakita ng tiwala sa mga kababayan natin na kung anumang krisis mayroon tayo ay maari natin itong malampasan,” Castro added.
(So, he should be seen, the President should be visible, because the presence of the President demonstrates trust to our fellow citizens that whatever crisis we face, we can overcome it.)
In signing the P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026 on Jan. 5, Marcos vowed that the distribution of financial and other forms of aid will reach its intended beneficiaries and will not be used for political patronage.
READ: DSWD warns ‘epal’ politicians: Aid to reach people even without you
This provision, Marcod said, will be “strictly implemented.”
“Politicians shall be barred from the distribution of any financial aid, and we shall ensure that the support reaches the intended beneficiaries without patronage. No reduction. No shortage,” he also said in his speech after signing the budget.
Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian in January also warned politicians who engage in “epal” practices that they will either have to leave the payout sites or the activity will be halted. /gsg
