Rep. Tulfo: Jail, perpetual DQ for execs who are choosy in aid recipients
HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS partylist Rep. Erwin Tulfo yesterday filed a bill that aims to imprison and punish with perpetual disqualification those government officials who will only provide assistance to selected constituents.
The said House Bill, “An Act Penalizing Selective, Discretionary, and Discriminatory Acts in the Delivery of Cash, Livelihood, or Relief Assistance Programs of Local Government Units (LGUs)” aims to impose a prison sentence of six months to one year and perpetual disqualification on public officials.
“Lagi nating naririnig ang problema na namimili si government official ng bibigyan niya ng ayuda mula sa gobyerno tuwing may kalamidad, pero wala namang nangyayari sa reklamo dahil walang napaparusahan dahil walang batas laban dito,” Tulfo said.
According to Tulfo, he filed the said bill as there are times when local government officials only select and prioritize recipients of aid programs based on personal considerations.
“Usong-uso ito sa ating bayan na pinipili lang ni opisyal ang bibigyan ng ayuda dahil hindi niya ito supporter,” Tulfo added.
“Dapat ang ayuda ay walang pinipiling kulay. Dapat kahit anong partido ka, mapa-pula, berde, dilaw, pink, puti, it does not matter,” the lawmaker added.
Tulfo believes that such a despicable act is a direct violation of accountability and transparency in government service.
“Ang iba namang opisyal inuuna ang mga kamag-anak tulad ng nangyari noong pandemya. Dapat hindi ganun,” he added.
Tulfo said he will ask for the support of his colleagues in the ACT-CIS partylist, including Reps. Edvic Yap and Jocelyn Tulfo, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap and Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo, to be co-authors of the said bill.
