Senator Loren Legarda is calling for a formal Senate inquiry into the government’s cash aid and subsidy programs following reports that local political rivalries may be interfering with the distribution of assistance in Batangas.
In Senate Resolution 381, Legarda highlighted allegations that 84 villages in the 1st District of Batangas—represented by her son, Congressman Leandro Leviste—were excluded from the “Bawat Barangay Makikinabang” Program.
The program distribution reportedly featured rice packs bearing the logos and slogans of the provincial government, led by Governor Vilma Santos-Recto, and the Executive Secretary, Ralph Recto.
Legarda expressed concern that government aid is being funneled through “informal channels” rather than objective systems.
”Reports suggest that assistance distribution may rely on informal channels, selective advisories, or unofficial coordination, raising concerns that qualified local government units and beneficiaries may be delayed, excluded, or subjected to staggered releases inconsistent with objective, uniform, and verifiable criteria,” she stated.
The Senator also aimed to investigate reports from transport groups regarding the fuel subsidy program, which has been marred by logistical bottlenecks, incomplete beneficiary lists, and long wait times.
The Palace has dismissed claims of political discrimination, asserting that the excluded barangays simply failed to submit the necessary paperwork.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro urged local leaders to focus on compliance rather than politics.
“Kung mayroon po kayong kinakailagang mga dokumentong makumpleto, ikumpleto po ninyong lahat iyan at huwag po kayong magpadala sa pulitika. Lahat po kayo makakatanggap ng ayuda,” Castro said.
Legarda, however, remains firm in her call for a non-partisan framework, stressing the need to audit how these programs are implemented across other provinces.
”There is a need to compare the implementation of the ‘Bawat Barangay Makikinabang’ Program in other provinces to determine whether similar practices involving the use of logos and slogans were also adopted and to ensure that such practices are not continued,” she added.
The resolution seeks to penalize any official found using public resources for political gain and urges the Office of the President to conduct its own internal investigation into the matter.