Lucy Torres-Gomez: PDAF abused but shouldn’t be abolished

MANILA, Philippines - Although she believes it was abused, celebrity congresswoman Lucy Torres-Gomez hopes the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) will not be abolished.

The PDAF, available to members of the Congress, is currently being scrutinized by the public because of the pork barrel scam.

“Naabuso siya and I believe na dapat talagang maimbestigahan, dapat talaga accountable (yung mga public servants). Pero on the issue of whether i-abolish ba or not, ang personal stand ko is sana wag ma-abolish,” Lucy said in an interview during the launch of TV5’s new showbiz talk show “Showbiz Police” on Friday, September 27.

The 38-year-old TV host, who als represents Leyte's 4th District in the House of Representatives, said the PDAF is means for those in the Congress to help their constituents “in a level na 'di kaya ng gobyerno.”

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Lucy further said: â€œAng PDAF ginagamit namin for the hospital, for scholarships. If merong mangangailangan ng scholarship or medical assistance, hindi naman siya pwedeng dumayo sa Malacanang para sabihing, ‘Tulungan mo ako.’ Yun ang role ng representative at yun ang function ng PDAF.”

The representative of the 4th district of Leyte agrees that the PDAF scam should be investigated and the process involving the use of the pork barrel should be corrected. But she said, “Pero, kunwari kotse, merong mga barumbado na drivers. Hindi ibig sabihin, ban na lahat ng kotse.”

The “Showbiz Police” host said actors-turned-politicians should not be prosecuted because of the involvement of alleged involvement of senators Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada in the said scam.

Revilla and Estrada are currently facing plunder cases filed by the National Bureau of Investigation over the pork barrel scam.

“You have to remember that they are the personalities na nababanggit pala because sila yung kilala. But they’re not the only ones on the list. Hindi pa tapos ang imbestigasyon. Marami pang pangalan na lalabas din,” Lucy said.

“It’s unfair na lalahatin mo e,” she added.

Last August, President Benigno Aquino III already called for the abolition of the PDAF. “As his partymate, as somebody who really believes in the president, I take the leap of faith. Susunod tayo sa desisyon ng pangulo,” she said.

Work as TV host

Lucy spoke to the press to promote her Saturday showbiz talk show “Showbiz Police,” which she co-hosts with showbiz scribe Cristy Fermin, TV host Raymond Gutierrez, and director-writer Jose Javier Reyes.

“I enjoy my work in showbiz,” Lucy said, adding she cannot compare her work as a showbiz talk show host and as a congresswoman.

“It’s different. I cannot compare my work in showbiz with my work in politics,” she explained. “Because my work in showbiz, it involves a lot of fun also. I’m only accountable to myself.”

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“But in politics, I really take it very seriously because I’m accountable not only to the people who voted for me but also to those who didn’t,” Lucy added.

Lucy appears soft-spoken and wholesome onscreen—a contrast from her co-hosts who are known for being harsh and blunt. But the Congresswoman said she’s not required to match their bravado.  

“What I like about this show is that we’re not asked to be someone we’re not,” she said. “Hindi nila ako sinasabihan na, ‘Hoy, dapat maging controversial ka.’ We were each picked siguro to be part of different personalities siguro.”

“Showbiz Police” airs every Saturday, 6pm on TV5.