Lacson says 4Ps benefits being used in poll campaign

MANILA, Philippines — The 4Ps or Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the government is reportedly being used by some politicians to buy votes to ensure their victory in the coming midterm elections.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson yesterday urged the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to look into the proper distribution of the benefits to the rightful beneficiaries, especially in a poor town in Abra.

“There are poor areas with not that many voters. It goes up to P25,000 in several tranches. If the number of voters in a province isn’t that many, each vote is gold. So the vote buying is now very high. It used to be P200-300 and reached P1,000,” Lacson said in Filipino over radio dwIZ.

Lacson admitted he was shocked to learn the information from retired police general Benjamin Magalong, who is running for mayor of Baguio City. He clarified that such practice is not happening in Baguio City, where Magalong is reportedly a sure winner.

“I was shocked when he told me about a poor community in Abra, where Magalong served of police regional director of Cordillera Autonomous Region.”