De Lima denounces politicians, party-lists using 4Ps for Eleksyon 2022 agenda

Re-electionist Senator Leila de Lima on Tuesday criticized politicians and certain party-list groups using the government's conditional cash transfer program, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), for their Eleksyon 2022 agenda.

In a statement, De Lima, author and principal sponsor of Republic Act 11310 or the 4Ps Law, condemned the threat allegedly posed against beneficiaries.

“I condemn the threats made to 4Ps beneficiaries that they will no longer be included in the program if they do not vote for certain candidates. The 4Ps Act is clear that local government officials have nothing to do with 4Ps beneficiary-selection,” the senator said.

“4Ps beneficiary-selection is the sole mandate and authority of the DSWD as the primary implementor or focal point agency in charge of the 4Ps program. I therefore urge all 4Ps beneficiaries not to believe the threats made by candidates, especially those running for local positions, that the latter can either withdraw or insert their names from the list of 4Ps beneficiaries,” she added.

The detained lawmaker cited information from a DSWD regional office, claiming that politicians have allegedly threatened to remove potential voters, who are beneficiaries of various DSWD programs, from the DSWD list.

According to De Lima, DSWD-6 assistant regional director for administration Delia Bagolcol stated that most of the reported threats of politicians involve the 4Ps program.

“Kahit kailanman mula noong isabatas ang 4Ps, hindi kailangan maging kapalit nang tulong galing dito ang paghalal sa kahit sino mang Mayor, Vice-Mayor, o Konsehal ng mga bayan o siyudad,” she said.

(Since the enactment of the 4Ps law, the benefits should not be given in exchange of votes for any mayor, vice-mayor, or councilor of a city or municipality.)

De Lima also cited the statement of election watchdog Kontra Daya on some party-list groups that bear identical names with the government program, specifically  the Pagtibayin at Palaguin ang Pangkabuhayang Pilipino (4Ps) which allegedly has a similar logo and acronym with the 4Ps. 

“4Ps beneficiaries should likewise be informed that a party-list group using the name of the 4Ps program has nothing to do with the same," De Lima said.

“Ang dapat iboto ninyong party-list ay mga grupo na totoong kumakatawan sa inyong mga sektor, at hindi isang mapanlinlang na grupo na ginagamit ang 4Ps para makuha ang inyong boto. Huwag po kayong magpapaloko sa kanila,” she added.

(You should vote party-list group that truly represents your sector and not those deceitful groups that use 4Ps to get votes. Don't be deceived by them.)—Hana Bordey/AOL, GMA News