Anakpawis Partylist Rep. Ariel Casilao (davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines—A militant lawmaker condemned insinuations that former Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo allegedly diverted government funds to the New People’s Army (NPA).
Anakpawis Representative Ariel Casilao expressed disappointment over the President’s remark saying it was “a baseless red-baiting accusation” against Taguiwalo.
“The president’s statement reeks of military line, incriminating Ma’am Judy, that we already could not sense the mayor who was considerate of the people’s need and working for peace,” Casilao said.
The allegation is “a futile attempt to diffuse the public outrage against the rejection by the Commission on Appointments (CA).”
“This exposes that militarists in the cabinet are approving of patronage politics, the unity of fascism and bureaucrat capitalism, at the cost of inclusive and progressive governance,” Casilao added.
It can be recalled that Taguiwalo earned the ire of house and CA members because she strongly opposed the lawmakers’ “control of over social services fund” which, according to Taguiwalo, was being used for patronage politics.
Responding to the remarks made by Duterte, the former DSWD secretary said that not even a single amount of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) passed through her hands.
“The program funds are directly coursed through the Landbank and its conduits who then make direct payout to the Pantawid beneficiaries. These transactions are recorded and [the] Commission on Audit regularly audits this program,” she added.
Meanwhile, Casilao urged Duterte to be “meticulous of his statements” since the former secretary served the Duterte administration with “utmost sincerity and capability for the benefit of the people.” (davaotoday.com)
