DOLE probes use of TUPAD in politics

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment-7 is looking into reports that Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) has been used as a tool for political campaign in favor of a certain candidate.

In a letter to DOLE Undersecretary Victor del Rosario, lawyer Ernesto Rama said that TUPAD beneficiaries were given a down payment on May 3, 2022 and were promised that the remaining balance will be paid after the election.

Del Rosario said the investigation will be guided by the DOLE Administrative Order No. 118, series of 2021 or the Guidelines on the Disposition of

Complaints Relative to the Implementation of the Department of Labor and Employment

Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP).

“We, hereby formally bring to your attention the activities at Mambaling, ACT and Guadalupe where individuals were made to fill up Beneficiary Profile forms under guise that it is a Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged / Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Project,” read Rama’s letter to Del Rosario.

“But then, the individuals are told to return on a specific date, like May 3, 2022 to receive money purportedly as down payment of their TUPAD Salary, the balance of which will be paid after elections,” it added.

Rama requested Del Rosario to shed light on certain matters such as the confirmation if there is an ongoing TUPAD activity sanctioned by DOLE-7 in cooperation with the City of Cebu with the same scheme and if the act of giving of money/down payment of the supposed TUPAD salary is legal and/or allowed by the department according to the existing rules and regulations provided by law.

“We think the giving of cash as down payment is an act of Vote-Buying, thus, we hope for your immediate response to this query,” Rama’s letter further read.

In his response to Rama, Del Rosario clarified that the TUPAD program is done through direct administration of DOLE-7 and under this mode, the implementation of the said program is done directly by their Tri-City Field Office.

“Based on the policy of the Department and per record of this Office the distribution of payment of TUPAD salaries is sent and released through money remittance service provider, particularly through M. Lhuillier and the Universal Storefront Services Corporation (USSC). It is our money remittance partners who will send a message to the beneficiaries that they can already claim their wages,” said Del Rosario.

“Às one of our stakeholders, rest assured that we will continue to implement our program for our vulnerable and marginalized sector with utmost integrity,” he added.

Reports had it that the camp of South District Rep. Rodrigo “Bebot” Abellanosa promoted the signing of TUPAD forms. The Freeman tried to reach Abellanosa for comment but did not receive a response as of this writing.

Abellanosa’s son, BG, is running for congressman in the south district as he is now in his last term and barred from seeking reelection. — b