MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos on Wednesday administered the oath of office to the newly appointed executive director of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), amid various issues with the task force.
Marcos swore in Executive Director Emmanuel Salamat in Malacañang.
The controversial task force has seen opposition and controversies amid various issues with red-tagging in the past. During budget deliberations, the funds of the NTF-ELCAC were also questioned by some lawmakers, as its budget is much higher than those of other government agencies.
Aside from Salamat, Marcos also administered the oath of office to Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, as well as officers of the Presidential Photojournalists Association and the Malacañang Cameramen Association.
Senators likened to a “pork barrel” the way the NTF-ELCAC budget is being utilized.
Sen. Sonny Angara made the observation during yesterday’s budget briefing of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and attached agency, including NTF-ELCAC, which is asking for P10 billion budget for 2023.
Sen. Nancy Binay asked DBM Undersecretary Tina Rose Marie Canda to provide the Senate with the list of beneficiaries for the P10 billion, noting that only the list of barangays cleared was submitted to the Senate. – Cecille Suerte Felipe