Taguiwalo says solons wanted to lay their hands on ‘hidden pork’

Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo. INQUIRER.net / Cathy Miranda

Outgoing Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo on Thursday said “hidden pork” had allegedly been inserted in the budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and some lawmakers felt “entitled” to draw funds from it as they pleased.

“This is what I saw when I came in (as secretary). It is now called ‘hidden pork’ because it is not in the GAA (General Appropriations Act, or the national budget),” she said in an interview with dzMM radio a day after the Commission on Appointments (CA) voted 13-11 to reject her confirmation.

“They (lawmakers) said they made insertions. They said, ‘We have put some money there,’” Taguiwalo said.

She said “not all” lawmakers wanted to get their share of the funds.

“But there are those who really feel that they are entitled,” she said.

She said she had refused a young first-term congressman’s demand for allocations he allegedly claimed should have been released to him.

The congressman told her his relative was “the former congresswoman” of his district.

Taguiwalo did not identify the congressman and his relative.

The funds in question were those intended to help “individuals and communities in crisis,” which include burial, hospitalization, medical and educational assistance, Taguiwalo said.

Reason for rejection

She had earned the ire of some lawmakers after she issued Memorandum Circular No. 9 last year telling social welfare officers that referral letters from lawmakers or other government officials should not be the basis for providing assistance to the needy.

“I told Congress I’m willing to assist them, meet them, accept their suggestions or referrals … and provide the assistance as long as they are needed, and even to report to them. But for some, that was unacceptable because they wanted it to be theirs,” she said.

Taguiwalo said her refusal to give in to the demands of some lawmakers could have been a reason for her rejection.

However, Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, chair of the House appropriations committee, disputed her statements.

He said there was no “hidden pork” and her rejection by the CA “had nothing to do” with the budget, which is prepared and submitted to the House by the executive branch that includes the DSWD.

Taguiwalo said she respected the CA’s decision but wanted to be officially informed why she was not confirmed.

She said she might have been rejected also because of policy differences, especially her opposition to the proposed tax reform, which she had said would hurt the poor.

The head of the CA panel that rejected her appointment and another CA member from the House said they had supported her confirmation but were outvoted.

‘Qualified’

“I find Taguiwalo qualified as Secretary of DSWD and should be confirmed,” panel chair Davao Oriental Rep. Joel Mayo Almario said in a statement.

Manila Rep. Rosenda Ann Ocampo said she also voted to confirm Taguiwalo, who was nominated by the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

CA vice chair, San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora, said in a radio interview he voted against Taguiwalo “because I think the Secretary answered the questions improperly with regard to her programs.”

The Senate and the House each have 12 members in the CA.

Makabayan lawmakers expressed dismay at Taguiwalo’s rejection.

“It’s telling that no reason was given. Was there a reason for this rejection? None,” said ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio.

“And lastly, it’s clear she was dropped by President Duterte. We know that in the end that is the ultimate reason,” he said.

Fr. Edwin Gariguez, executive secretary of National Secretariat for Social Action of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, said the CA “should be ashamed of itself for lacking good judgment in appointing the right and competent people in the government.”—WITH A REPORT FROM JULIE M. AURELIO