Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Wednesday urged aspiring candidates in the May 2022 elections to coordinate with local government units in the distribution of goods to people during political activities.
Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, Año made the statement amid the investigation into the supposed mass gathering in an event of presidential aspirant Senator Manny Pacquiao in Batangas recently.
“Meron tayong protocol diyan. Kung magdi-distribute ka ng goods, dapat ipadaan mo sa local government units,” he said.
(We have a protocol for that. If you will distribute goods, you should channel them through local government units)
Año added that the LGUs will be the ones to distribute the goods to people to prevent a superspreader events amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
He noted that there is no issue with organizing a political meeting with local leaders as the enforcement of health protocols is still manageable.
But with the distribution of goods, the observance of health protocols would be hard to control, according to Año.
“For example, ‘yung case ng Batangas, kay Senator Manny Pacquiao [For example, the incident in Batangas involving Senator Manny Pacquiao],” he said.
Año said the Department of the Interior and Local Government is still waiting for the official report of the Philippine National Police regarding the incident.
Batangas police director Police Colonel Glicerio Cansilao had earlier said policemen were overwhelmed in monitoring the event in Batangas where Pacquiao distributed cash aid.
Pacquiao has admitted that he distributed money during the Batangas event but denied it was vote buying. —KBK, GMA News
Año to Eleksyon 2022 bets: Distribute goods via LGUs amid pandemic
Source: Pinoy Hub News
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