The Abakada Party-List on Wednesday called for an immediate investigation into reports that conditional cash transfer beneficiaries are being prevented by Department of Social Welfare and Development from attending the political rallies of the opposition and forcing them to vote for administration presidential bet Mar Roxas II.
Abakada said in a statement that revelations by Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap chairperson Gloria Arellano are too detailed to ignore.
“We call on no less than Mr. Roxas and DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman to immediately and personally initiate a probe on these very alarming reports. On our part, Abakada will file a resolution for an immediate congressional inquiry,” the statement read.
Abakada said the report cited, among others, that:
In Barangays San Isidro and San Jose in Rodriguez in Rizal and in Barangay Bagong Pag-asa in Quezon City, DSWD personnel conducted activities on the same day as the organization’s yearly Kalbaryo ng Maralita (Calvary of the Poor).
“According to Miss Arellano, CCT administrators in Barangay Pag-asa summoned beneficiaries to a meeting on March 21, the same day of the Kalbaryo and threatened those who will fail to attend with sanctions.
“And in Barangays San Jose and San Isidro in Rodriguez, Miss Arellano said CCT personnel have been campaigning for Mr. Roxas and his running mate, Leni Robredo, in violation of Comelec rules prohibiting partisan political activity by government personnel,” Abakada pointed out.
Abakada added there are also reports in Barangay 178 in Camarin, North Caloocan, saying that Kadamay beneficiaries were used as a focus group for surveys.
“There is also no assurance that CCT funds are not being illegally used in other parts of the country for election purposes. Most of all, it must be determined how much money is involved in these reports.
“CCT funds are exclusively for the beneficiaries alone and their needs, and not for the vested interests of private individuals. Noibody has any legal or moral right to demand anything in exchange for its immediate release to the beneficiaries,” ABAKADA added.
