By John Paolo Bencito and Sara Susanne D. Fabunan
THE Palace on Wednesday denied accusations from the camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay that Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman was campaigning instead of leading relief operations to help victims of Typhoon “Lando.”
“This is in response to the statements made by the Vice President’s Spokesperson accusing me of being remiss of (sic) my responsibilities by attending a Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-organized event in Region XII instead of ‘leading from the frontlines for the relief and recovery’ of those affected by Typhoon Lando,” Soliman said in a statement read by presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda.
Soliman said efforts to prepare and respond to the typhoon did not involve just one day, and that on Oct. 16, as vice chairman of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council,
she was in the briefing for President Benigno Aquino III and continued to work with her colleagues in planning and implementing the disaster response plan.
The day after, Soliman said, she flew to Koronadal City to participate in an event celebrating the successes of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries.
The event, which had been planned long ago, was organized by the DSWD Field Office, she said.
Former Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II and Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo—the presidential and vice presidential candidates for the ruling Liberal Party—were invited by the Field Office as resource persons, she said.
Roxas talked about sustainable livelihood while Robredo discussed food security, Soliman said.
On the same day, Soliman said, she flew back to Manila and went straight to the operations center to attend an NDRRMC meeting.
On Oct. 19, together with the President, Soliman and the DSWD staff distributed relief goods and visited affected communities in Region III.
“Given these, I believe that not only the management but the whole department has successfully led the relief and recovery efforts, and even the preparation and planning phases,” Soliman said.
“It is sad that the calamities such as this are being used as an opportunity to criticize the government in order to pursue their interests,” she added.
Lacierda lashed out at Baler Mayor Nelianto Bihasa for saying that the administration was politicizing the relief operations in Baler, Aurora.
Bihasa, not a member of the Liberal Party, accused Roxas and Robredo of politicking by bypassing his office in distributing relief.
But Lacierda said: “First of all, what is important here? That the relief goods be given to the mayor or given to the people? Please clarify, Mayor Bihasa.”
Lacierda said photos showed that relief was reaching the people of Baler.
“What is important is that the relief goods were received by the people and not the mayor. And, PDP-Laban is not the enemy, they are included in the coalition. Why would he politicize something that does not need to be politicized?,” said Lacierda.
Lacierda also said the relief distributed by Roxas and Robredo were aimed at augmenting the goods from the DSWD.
In Pangasinan, Roxas defended Soliman against the Vice President’s camp.
“I think that we should not take notice of that senseless statement from them because it’s clear that the government is doing everything to do its job. All of the departments, all of the branches of government are pointed towards caring and attending to the needs of our countrymen especially those affected by Typhoon Lando,” Roxas said.
Speaking to reporters, Roxas said, “You are witnesses that there are no speeches… no yellow colors,” Roxas said. “We are here just for the distribution of relief goods.’’
Also on Wednesday, the Commission on Elections said it was not premature campaigning for candidates for next year’s polls to distribute relief to victims of Typhoon Lando.
Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista noted that there is no existing provision from the Omnibus Election Law that prohibits candidates from donating or distributing relief goods to people affected by natural disasters.