DOLE: SPARE TUPAD FROM CHA-CHA DRIVE
THE Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) will not allow the use of its emergency employment program to support the people’s initiative drive for Charter change (Cha-cha).
Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma made the clarification on Wednesday in response to allegations that its flagship program Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers, or Tupad, is being used along with other state programs by people’s initiative promoters to bribe individuals to affix their signatures.
The Labor chief expressed frustration over the alleged dangling of Tupad as an incentive to lure the public into joining a political initiative that aims to amend the 1987 Constitution.
He warned that those who are proven to be using the program’s name for self-serving purposes will be disqualified from using the program’s funds.
Laguesma said that Tupad cannot be promised by anybody because those hired under the program must first undergo a profiling process, among others, which should be strictly followed in compliance with the documentation requirements of the Commission on Audit.
“It’s really sad because Tupad is a good program aimed at helping disadvantaged displaced workers,” Laguesma said.
He assured the public that safeguards are in place to ensure the proper implementation of the cash-for-work program, including the thorough evaluation of beneficiaries and the coordination with regional offices and local government units.
The Tupad program provides workers in the informal sector with 10-day emergency employment, but not exceeding 30 days, depending on the work to be performed, and they would be paid the minimum wage prevailing in their respective areas.
Since the program’s inception, its implementation has been compliant with existing guidelines and auditing rules.
DoLE was even recognized as an outstanding government agency in terms of fund disbursement and disposition.
Comelec: No jurisdiction yet
Meanwhile, Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesman John Rex Laudiangco on Wednesday said that the poll body has not received any petition about people’s initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution. Thus, there is nothing to act on yet.
“Comelec has no jurisdiction yet because we have not received any petition,” he said.
He said the poll body would certainly act on petitions if they received one, similar to complaints about alleged bribery in soliciting signatures, which is the first step in a people’s initiative mode to amend the charter.
Senate move vindicates House
House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City 2nd District Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe said that the filing of Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 6 by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri “validated” the stance of the House of Representatives, and that it has been correct all along in its push for constitutional reforms.
He noted that since 1987, the House of Representatives has advocated for constitutional amendments, but has been rejected by the Senate.
“This marks the first time the Senate has agreed to amend the Constitution, vindicating the House’s 37-year-long pursuit of constitutional reforms,” Dalipe said.
Zubiri’s RBH 6 proposes amendments to Articles xII, xIV and xVI of the 1987 Charter, which would allow Congress to legislate laws that would remove equity restrictions on certain industries.
Albay 2nd District Rep. Jose Maria Clemente “Joey” Salceda said that he welcomes the Senate’s move as it “legitimizes” the efforts of the House to amend what he called “restrictive” provisions in the constitution.
He, however, said that he wants the current moves to amend the constitution through the people’s initiative to continue, which would allow the Senate and House to vote jointly in a constituent assembly.