Rival hits Radaza’s Education assistance

CEBU, Philippines – Lapu-Lapu City congressional aspirant Junex Doronio has criticized his opponent, incumbent Representative Aileen Radaza of the Liberal Party, for her alleged disregard of the rules by granting educational assistance within the election period.

Doronio, a veteran media practitioner who is running under the Philippine Green Republican Party and has recently expressed support to the presidential bid of Senator Grace Poe, cited the Comelec prohibition of issuance of treasury warrants or similar devices for a future undertaking chargeable against public funds.  The prohibition covers from March 25 to June 8 this year.

Thousands of residents lined up early last April 11, Monday at the City Hall to get a slip that would enable them to get P2,000 education assistance.

Doronio said if such "educational assistance" is given once a year, that only means P166 monthly and can hardly meet the educational needs of every student.

Doronio promised that if elected, he would file a bill that would ensure a "humane and practical educational assistance" every month, not once a year.

The Freeman tried to get Radaza's comment on the issue but all calls and text messages to her were left unanswered.

Doronio said he also wants to increase the financial assistance to senior citizens from P500 to P2,000.

The P500 is being provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development to eligible indigent senior citizens.

"What can P500 buy nowadays? I think increasing their monthly pension to P2,000 is just fair considering the present high prices of commodities," Doronio said.

Doronio, in a statement, said this will be one of his priority legislations alongside those for free medical checkups and medicines. He said elders deserve to be treated with utmost respect and care. —/FPL (FREEMAN)