Nueva Ecija gov: Money given out after UniTeam event was LGU cash aid
MANILA, Philippines — The local government of Nueva Ecija was distributing financial aid to residents of two barangays on the same day a UniTeam rally was held there, Gov. Aurelio Matias Umali said.
He gave the statement after footage of the distribution of envelopes, reportedly with P500 inside, after the campaign rally hit the news.
In a Facebook stream, Umali said in Filipino: "When [presidential bet Bongbong Marcos and Mayor Inday Sara] visited my house, distribution of financial assistance to our constituents was also scheduled."
"Two barangays were scheduled [for distribution], and we said we should finish early because our visitors will arrive… We could not cancel giving financial assistance," he added.
Umali stressed they only have until March 24 to finish distribution of aid as the campaign season for local elections will start the next day.
UniTeam, Marcos party disown cash distribution
Presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’ s campaign manager Benhur Abalos Jr. and his political party, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas have both denied knowing what the incident was about.
Umali explained that while the campaign season has already started for national bets, local candidates have yet to start theirs on March 25, so they were still working on distributing aid to residents.
“Because our aid distribution is continuous to the people… our protocol is we gather them in open public space, that’s what we do all over Nueva Ecija,” the governor said partly in Filipino.
GMA News which also reported the distribution of envelopes containing cash said Marcos planned a motorcade in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija going to Talavera. Umali also confirmed that the UniTeam intended a rally at Talavera town.
But, before this, Marcos addressed the people at the open grounds of the governor’s residence or Umali compound in Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija where a stage was set up as seen in the video report. Marcos, his running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and UniTeam senatorial bets were also seen being prayed over on stage.
GMA News said that after the rally, people remained outside the governor’s residence and were given envelopes. When asked about the cash, they said they did not what the money was for.
Vote buying, or providing money or anything of value to a person to induce to vote for or against a candidate, is an election offense.
News5 earlier reported that Elections Commissioner George Garcia said he would bring up for en banc deliberations the reported distribution of money in the UniTeam event. — Kristine Joy Patag
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