The Presidential Anti Corruption Commission (PACC) said that the office of the Vice President (OVP) Leni Robredo should no longer solicit donations for the victims of the quake in Mindanao.
According to PACC spokesman and Commissioner Manuelito Luna, such solicitations will bring legal and ethical issues to the Vice President.
It will also result in duplication of jobs or functions among government agencies such as the DSWD, LGUs, and the Philippine Red Cross that are already providing relief operations to areas devastated by the earthquake in Mindanao.
Luna said the government already has funds available for disaster victims, so the Office of the Vice President (OVP) does not need to solicit donations anymore.
So he asked Vice President Leni Robredo to stop soliciting donations for Mindanao quake victims.
Should the vice president insist on soliciting donations, he will ask the Commission on Audit (COA) and the Ombudsman to investigate the OVP.
Cotabato earthquake victims beg for help
Earthquake victims in Cotabato are already asking for help because of food and water shortage due to the severe damage they suffered during three major earthquakes in Mindanao.
Residents were holding placards begging and waving at passing motorists for water, rice, medicine, tarp, and other necessities.
The children are also suffering from heat and cold under the tarps that serve as temporary shelters.
“Please po tulungan niyo po kami. Kung sinong may puso, tingnan niyo na lang po kalagayan ng bawat isa na nandito ngayon,” resident Melanie Inoc pleaded.
Some motorists stop by to give bread, money, or even cup noodles to some Cotabato earthquake victims begging on the road.
Around 29,349 families were affected or equivalent 146,745 people while 28, 222 infrastructures were damaged, including 27,350 houses, 757 schools at 37 health facilities.