Binay lambasted online for ‘epal’ relief bags
MANILA, Philippines – Netizens have been blasting Vice President Jejomar Binay for “electioneering” in earthquake-devastated provinces after photos of his labeled relief bags surfaced online.
At least two Facebook pages have shared the photo, showing a pile of relief bags labeled with Binay’s name and office logo.
The page “Expose Graft and Corruption in Government” posted the photo with the caption “Our money, Binay’s glory” while the “Anti-Epal” page said, “Pati relief goods for Bohol may pangalan o (Even relief goods for Bohol has his name). Not good. You’ve reached a new low, Mr. Vice President.”
Both posts have at least 2,800 shares each.
Netizens said there was no need to label the bags while others said it was a sign of early campaigning.
One person questioned if it was Binay’s personal money that was used to buy the relief goods but someone pointed out that the important thing was that the Vice President was there when he was needed by the people.
Facebook user Herbert Cambe said, “Dapat kasi bawal na talaga mag lagay ng name ang mga public officials. Specially sa mga projects and donations, hindi naman nila personal money yun eh, dapat standard yun na “Project of the Citizens of the Republic of the Philippines.”
(Facebook user Herbert Cambe said, “Placing the name of public officials [on relief bags and other government resources] should not be allowed, especially for project and donations. That is not their money. It should instead have a standard text such as “Project of the Citizens of the Republic of the Philippines.”)
“What about the money spent to buy those bags and to get them printed? That could have been more food for the Boholanons,” commented Wendell Abellanosa Dagatan.
While others urged people not to elect Binay in the 2016 elections, some defended him for helping those affected by the earthquake.
INQUIRER.net tried to contact the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for a reaction on the issue but has yet to receive a reply.
The OVP, in an earlier statement, said they have distributed 8,000 bags of relief goods to earthquake-affected families in Bohol last week, in addition to the efforts of their rescue volunteer team.
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