DSWD: 4Ps beneficiaries won’t be used by politicians

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) yesterday brushed aside suspicions that beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program will be used by politicians in advancing their interests come next year’s polls.

Secretary Corazon Soliman said beneficiaries of the program are free to decide, choose and express their beliefs and rights on issues concerning their lives and their communities.

Soliman said the program beneficiaries are empowered individuals and have the same right as other voters to choose someone whom they believe promotes their principles.

“During the Family Development Sessions, we tell them about active citizenship and voting according to their conscience. But we never impose on them to vote for a certain political personality,” Soliman said.

She said if the program’s beneficiaries participate in political activities, it will be based on their own free will.

“If they believe that this personality has helped them and they want to show their support, we cannot hold them back,” she added.

Soliman urged politicians to allow beneficiaries to exercise their political rights as citizens of this country, stressing that politicians cannot use the program to lure or threaten beneficiaries.