DSWD funds not used for people’s initiative, says Asec. Lopez

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said that none of its funds were used in the people’s initiative (PI) to amend the 1987 Constitution.

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“Iyon ho ang paglilinaw natin, wala ho, wala at wala pa, at sa tingin namin ay wala talagang salapi ng DSWD o salapi ng taong bayan ang magagamit sa PI,” DSWD Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez said on Wednesday.

(We clarify that no funds from the DSWD or the people will be used for the PI.)

Lopez, who is also the DSWD spokesperson, added that no personnel from their agency was implicated in the Senate hearings investigating the PI signature drive and the allegations that funds were used in exchange for signatures.

“Nakakadalawang hearing na po tayo sa senado, when it comes sa PI, when it comes po doon sa ayuda scam, pero ni isang kawani ng DSWD, walang na-identify na involved sa kahit anong alegasyon na ito,” the DSWD spokesperson stressed.

(There have been two Senate hearings when it comes to the PI and the ayuda scam, but no DSWD personnel have been identified to be involved in these allegations.)

Recently, the DSWD also denied claims that its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program was used as an incentive in the PI.

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