Ano denies claim of opposition gov’t funds used to buy Go campaign t-shirts

March 6, 2019

Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano on Wednesday denied a claim of opposition senatorial aspirant Gary Alejano government funds were used to purchase campaign t-shirts of senatorial bet and former Special Assistant to the President Christopher ''Bong'' Go.

In a statement, Ano denied purchasing shirts using funds from the Liga National Convention that were reportedly distributed during the Liga ng mga Barangay Convention last February 25, 2019.

He called Alejano’s allegations “fake news”.

“We wish to inform Alejano that DILG Memorandum Circular 23 s. 2019 is a standard memorandum for local government league events. It simply encouraged all punong barangays to attend the 1st National Convention of the Liga ng mga Barangay. It likewise authorized those participating in the convention to charge their traveling expenses and registration fees from their local funds,” said Ano.

He said under the Department of Interior and Local Government memorandum, it states expenditures of the officials are “subject to the availability thereof and to the usual accounting and auditing requirements and to all pertinent laws, rules, and regulations.”

Ano accused Alejano of barking at the wrong tree as he knows Go will not allow barangay captains to spend a single centavo for him.

“We wish to emphasize that nothing in the memorandum permitted the use of government funds to pay for any campaign materials of any candidate. So, Alejano is barking up the wrong tree when he showed the DILG Memorandum as basis for his unsubstantiated allegation,” he said.

“The Liga National Convention is an independent activity initiated and implemented by the national league officers. They have their own organizers. Just like in any local government league activity, the DILG just provided the guidelines so that the activity is in accordance with law,” he added.

Ano said the Liga ng mga Barangay assured him no public funds from the LnB or the registration fees of the barangay officials were used to purchase campaign materials of any candidate.

“It was explained to us by the LnB that the t-shirts referred to by Alejano were in fact bought and paid for by 'Bayan For Bong Go,' a private organization of individuals who are supportive of the candidacy of former SAP (Special Assistant to the President) Bong Go, and was not purchased by the Liga using public funds. The LNB remains an apolitical association of punong barangays,” he said.

“The DILG under my watch will never allow any irregularity more so allowing the use of public funds for unauthorized items,” he said. Ella Dionisio/DMS