Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo on Sunday dared senators to donate their one-month salaries to supplement the P1,000 “ayuda” (assistance) for poor Filipinos in areas under the most stringent community quarantine to curb the spread of COVID-19.
In his online commentary show “Counterpoint”, Panelo slammed Senators Nancy Binay, Risa Hontiveros, Imee Marcos, Joel Villanueva, and Panfilo “Ping” Lacson for criticizing the government’s cash aid program, saying they should donate their salaries instead of complaining that it is not enough.
“You say it’s not enough? Okay. I will pose a challenge to you and those who are complaining. If you are complaining, you add to the assistance from your own wealth? Provide additional assistance,” he said.
Panelo said he was willing to donate his one-month’s salary to supplement the government’s cash aid program.
“Let’s have this dare. Let’s add your one-month salaries to the assistance. Me, I’m willing to do it. You keep looking for more. If you think it’s not enough, why don’t you give assistance on your own?” he added.
He urged them to refrain from trying to bring the government down and instead focus on efforts to provide additional help.
“Stop criticizing the government,” he said.
Meanwhile, Panelo also assured the public that the government is doing its best to address the prevailing health crisis.
“The government is doing everything it can to address the problems of the nation. Let’s help the government,” he said.
Several senators earlier said the P1,000 per person or P4,000 per family cash aid is “inadequate” to cover the costs of struggling families and called for the downgrade of quarantine status to allow more Filipinos to earn a living.
On March 29, President Rodrigo Duterte approved the release of P23 billion worth of emergency subsidy to about 22.9 million individuals in Metro Manila and four nearby provinces placed under ECQ.
Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal will be under enhanced community quarantine, the most restrictive quarantine status, until April 11.
