Deputy Commissioner Atty. Manny Luna of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission or PACC reminded Vice President Leni Robredo that government has dedicated a disaster fund for victim’s of the recent quakes in Mindanao and it is not necessary for Robredo to ask for funds under her name.
Robredo’s office recently asked people to donate monies to her office to help earthquake stricken people from North Cotabato and Davao.
Luna says it is both unethical and illegal for the Vice President to collect donations from the public.
This will result, according to Luna, in the duplication of work or functions among government agencies such as the DSWD LGUs and the Philippine Red Cross who are already conducting relief operations in earthquake-damaged provinces in Mindanao.
Luna added that the government has a dedicated fund for disaster victims so that the Office of the Vice President does not need to solicit donations anymore, nor does it allow government offices such as the OVP to gather donations, whether it’s cash or goods.
As soon as the Vice President insists on soliciting donations, he will ask the COA and the Ombudsman to investigate the OVP. (Chris Figueroa/IAMIGO/CNS)
