PJ Garcia denies role in Barili stampede, welcomes probe

CEBU 3rd district Rep. Pablo John Garcia welcomes a probe by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on the stampede that occurred in Barili town last Friday.

In an interview at the Capitol yesterday, Rep. Garcia said the investigations should thresh out all the circumstances that resulted in the stampede during the distribution of the conditional cash transfer (CCT), an anti-poverty doleout from the Dept. of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“Look into the circumstances. Among the things that should be looked into is the reported attempt to stop people from going to Guibuangan. They should investigate everything,” he told reporters.

He also said that his presence at barangay Guibuangan could not be linked to politicking since the distribution of the conditional cash transfer (CCT) was scheduled early in the morning and their schedule in Barili was in the afternoon.

Rep. Garcia said it was never his practice to attend to any of these cash distributions events since he is not sold out with the objectives of the program.

“I’d rather give that to livelihood projects to the marginalized. Politically, it’s a no win situation,” he said.

“It does not make much sense to me – going there to meet a thousand people, have my photo taken in the guise of handing out the dole-outs, which is not true. And then two or three people fail to receive their share, they will complain to high heavens,” the congressman added.

Despite his non-attendance to CCT distribution, Garcia said the DSWD has always invited him to these events.