JV Ejercito bares alleged scam in TUPAD cash aid releases

Senator JV Ejercito on Wednesday bared an alleged scam in the disbursement of cash assistance in San Juan under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced workers (TUPAD) of the Department of Labor and Employment.

According to a "24 Oras" report by Mav Gonzales, Ejercito during a privilege speech played a video of a man who narrated how a member of a city councilor's staff gave him a transaction code that entitled him to a P7,500 from TUPAD.

However, the man said he was told to keep P1,000 and give P6,500 to the staff. "Para daw 'yun kay mayor," the man said. (I was told that it was for the mayor.)

Another video showed someone collecting and counting money. Ejercito said the person was an accomplice.

Some beneficiaries have alleged that TUPAD cash was given as Christmas gifts to barangay officials.

"P15,000 sa bawat kapitan at P7,500 sa bawat kagawad. Pero kung kalaban ka, hindi ka na kasama sa Christmas party. Mga kapamilya, kamag-anak, o kaibigan nila ang nagre-receive. Dahil hindi eligible ang mga barangay officials sa TUPAD," said Ejercito. 

(P15,000 was alloted for every chairperson and P7,500 for council members. You're not part of the Christmas party if you're a foe. Their relatives and friends receive the cash. Barangay officials are not qualified to receive cash under TUPAD.)

Sought for comment, San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora said the video shown was already two years old.

"Gaano ka-valid ang mga video na yan? 'Di na nga natin alam kung s'an silang nanggaling. Sino sila? It was never identified who these people were," Zamora said.

(How valid is that video? We don't know where they came from. Who are they? It was never identified who these people were.)

"That’s why I'm inviting them to come to my office in the presence of the PNP, NBI, DOLE and DSWD so the national government agencies can validate," he added. 

Zamora said local government units had no control over the disbursements under TUPAD. He said his conscience is clear.  —Sherylin Untalan/NB, GMA Integrated News