Administration coalition says Poe did nothing to support 'Pantawid' program

MANILA, Philippines - The Koalisyon ng Daang Matuwid on Tuesday chided Sen. Grace Poe for expressing support for the administration’s conditional cash transfer program despite her supposed failure to do anything to push for its approval.

Coalition spokesman and Akbayan Rep. Ibarra Gutierrez was wondering where was Poe’s support when the administration was still promoting the program.

“Where was her support when we were still pushing for this program?” Gutierrez said in a statement.

“She did not do anything for the approval of the 4P (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) in the Senate,” he added.

Gutierrez said the only basis for testing Poe’s sincerity is her record.

 “To my knowledge, she has not authored any of the bills seeking to institutionalize the 4Ps program. She claims that she voted for the inclusion of 4Ps in the budget, well, so did every other Senator and over 250 congressmen,” the lawmaker said.  

“I understand why she's trying to be "pro-4Ps" now - it's a popular program and one of the key initiatives under Daang Matuwid. But she shouldn't pretend to be a dedicated advocate for it when her record doesn't support it,” he added.

Gutierrez noted that Poe had rejected their invitation to join the effort to sustain the Aquino administration’s "straight path" policy.  

“She did not accept the invitation to join Daang Matuwid. It’s easy to talk but we can see who is really doing something. Propaganda becomes clearer through actions,” the administration coalition spokesman said in Filipino.

He, however, clarified that they are not hurting by Poe’s refusal to run as their vice president.

“Of course not. We have the most principled and qualified vice president candidate in (Camarines Sur Rep.) Leni Robredo and there are absolutely no regrets on this score,” Gutierrez said.  

“I was simply pointing out that Sen. Poe chose to distance herself from Daang Matuwid and President Aquino, and yet she persists in trying to share credit for some of its successes,” he added.

The administration coalition initially tried to convince Poe to run as vice president of Mar Roxas II but the senator refused and decided instead to seek the presidency.

Earlier, Poe said she would continue the 4Ps program if she wins the presidency. She also branded as “black propaganda” allegations that she would discontinue the program, which provides cash incentives to families who send their children to school and avail of state health services.

Administration officials have claimed that the conditional cash transfer program is helping ease poverty in the country.  – with Levi Mora