PACC vows to go after abusive local execs amid health crisis

During the “Laging Handa” public briefing aired on state-run PTV-4, PACC Commissioner Greco Belgica told local executives to heed President Rodrigo Duterte’s advice to ensure the fair and equal distribution of assistance to families affected by the government’s strict implementation of measures against Covid-19. (File Photo By Pacc888 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0)

MANILA — The Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) pledged Wednesday that it would run after erring local officials who will abuse their authority amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak in the country.

During the “Laging Handa” public briefing aired on state-run PTV-4, PACC Commissioner Greco Belgica told local executives to heed President Rodrigo Duterte’s advice to ensure the fair and equal distribution of assistance to families affected by the government’s strict implementation of measures against Covid-19.

Belgica warned that local officials who would defy Duterte’s directive would face imprisonment and appropriate charges.

“Kapag ginawa ninyo iyan, ipinapangako namin sa inyo, ipapahuli po namin kayo. Kakasuhan namin kayo (If you do that, we promise that we will get you arrested. We will file cases against you),” he said.

About 18 million poor families affected by Covid-19 pandemic are expected to receive a monthly emergency subsidy from the national government from April to May.

All beneficiaries will receive the assistance either in cash or in kind from various social amelioration packages under the emergency subsidy program (ESP).

Low-income households in Metro Manila will receive PHP8,000 each, while those from Central Luzon and Calabarzon will get PHP6,500 each.

Some PHP6,000 subsidy will be distributed to each poor family in Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao and Davao Region, while PHP5,000 worth of assistance will be given to each beneficiary in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, and Cagayan Valley.

A subsidy worth PHP5,000 will be received by each low-income household from Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen, Caraga, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Belgica said the PACC is monitoring the government’s Covid-19 responses.

He added that the PACC is ready to investigate the irregularities that may be committed by the personnel of local government units.

“‘Yung ating barangay officials at (To village officials and) LGUs, it is not the time for politicking. Ang sabi nga ng Pangulo, ang dami naming report na nakukuha. Parang awa niyo na po, itigil niyo na po iyan (The President said there are many complaints against you. Please stop any illegal activities),” Belgica said.