‘Nothing wrong’ with release of P67-M aid three days before polls

Since it’s an executive privilege, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña does not see anything wrong with the timing of the distribution of cash assistance to senior citizens.

At least 67,300 qualified senior citizens in all 80 barangays received yesterday P67 million worth of cash aid from the City Government.

The simultaneous distribution in all barangays started at 8 a.m.

Each person got P1,000, the fifth tranche of the P12,000 financial assistance that the City promised them for this year.

But questions on the timing of the distribution were raised considering that it was done three days before the elections.

For Osmeña, there is nothing wrong with the timing of the distribution because he is not using the cash grant for his personal benefit.

“It’s a very good reminder on where the money came from. Unsay problema niana? It’s an executive privilege. I don’t put my name on the envelope so don’t compare me (to others) and say it’s unethical,” he said.

Earlier, Cebu Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Lionel Marco Castillano said the City may continue to give financial aid to the elderly during the election period.

He added that what is prohibited is the use of barangay funds during the election period.

As to reports that candidates of Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) from Barangays Guadalupe and Day-as were handing out campaign materials during the distribution of the cash aid, the mayor said he does not see any problem with it.

Osmeña, though, was quick to clarify that what he is against is distributing campaign materials containing money.

“In the heat of election, some people will always try to do that. People are not stupid. If they don’t like you, it might backfire. They’re taking a chance. But all is fair in love and war,” he said.

Last month, Osmeña warned candidates and supporters of BOPK that he will cut ties with them if they take advantage of the distribution of financial assistance to senior citizens.

“I will move when they start buying, distributing money or whatever, threatening, doing intimidating tactics. That’s what I can’t stand. I will not allow that. That is really unfair,” he added.

In Basak Community School, Nemesia Esguerra, 65, expressed her delight as she received her financial assistance. She does not believe that it is a form of vote buying for the upcoming elections.

“The disbursing officers are not wearing anything that promotes a candidate, nor were they campaigning while giving us the money,” Esguerra said.

Esguerra is just one of the hundreds of senior citizens who waited for the money that would help her with her daily needs.

“I’ll use it to buy rice. Senior citizens like me are happy each time we receive financial assistance from the City, it helps us buy our medicines,” she said in Bisaya.

Senior citizens who are unable to get their cash aid on the scheduled date are given a grace period of 10 working days to claim their money at the City Treasurer’s Office.