President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday reminded local officials not to mismanage resources allocated to aid Filipinos affected by the crisis brought by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Last night, the President announce PHP200 billion dole out for poor households that have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his televised address, Duterte threatened those officials who will politicize or embezzle the distribution of food packs or aid to their constituents will face punishments.
“I will see to it, even tomorrow, if I discover some embezzlements, some hoarding there, at dina-divert ‘yung pagkain sa mga tao na dapat hindi sa kanila, you better think. I am not a cruel man. Pero kung may report ang pulis, I will order your detention hanggang matapos itong COVID-19,” he said.
“‘Wag na ‘wag kayong mandaya, mangurakot, at taguin ‘yung mga pagkain at ‘yung iba hindi bigyan… Kung mamulitika ka tapos mabalitaan ko na ‘yan ang nagawa mo, I will suspend you ora mismo,” he added.
The chief executive said the people who will be found taking advantage of the crisis for their own gain will be jailed until the end of the pandemic.
“And for those who are really absconding the money, I will detain you,” Duterte warned.
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