Poll bets barred from relief work

DAVAO CITY — Politicians running in the May polls are prohibited from taking part in the distribution of relief goods to thousands of evacuees affected by hostilities between government and Moro separatist forces in Central Mindanao last year.

Presidential Assistant for Mindanao Jesus Dureza said the government cannot allow candidates to take advantage of relief activities for their personal agenda.

Such prohibition, Dureza said, shows the Arroyo administration’s sincerity in rehabilitating conflict-stricken communities in Central Mindanao.

There are at least 30,000 evacuees who are still housed in public elementary schools in the towns of Barira, Parang and Matanog in Maguindanao and in Pikit and Carmen in North Cotabato. — Edith Regalado