Fisherfolk slams CA over Taguiwalo rejection
Manila, Philippines – “The powerful Commission on Appointments (CA) for the second time has proven that its corrupt bureaucracy is unable to stomach competent and honest cabinet members. While they instantly approved confirmation of undeserved traditional government officials, they rejected the appointment of real public servants who had done their jobs well such as former Secretaries Gina Lopez and just recently, Judy Taguiwalo who spearheaded progressive and pro-people reforms in the social welfare department in one year,” This was the statement of the militant fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaa ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA-Pilipinas) on Thursday after the CA has rejected the appointment of Judy Taguiwalo as Social Welfare Secretary.
In a secret balloting in the Senate, at least 13 members of the CA voted against Taguiwalo’s confirmation.
PAMALAKAYA said they were dismayed and enraged by the treacherous decision made by the CA.
“We lost another government official who truly represents change in the present regime and sincerely addresses the plight of the Filipino people. Taguiwalo within one year in the office made basic social services accessible to the poor. Even calamity assistance and economic relief had been easily dispensed to the victims of natural disasters and calamities,” added Hicap.
PAMALAKAYA commends how the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) quickly responded to more than 2,000 fisherfolk and urban poor whose houses and livelihood were devastated by the blaze that hit a fishing community in Bacoor, Cavite in April 5.
“The rejection of Taguiwalo only favors corrupt and pork barrel apologist politicians who for a long time treated DSWD as their milking cow at the cost of the Filipino people’s access to basic social services and government assistance,”
“We also condemn the Commission on Appointments in the strongest terms for its unjust decision to drop the appointment of Taguiwalo. We vow to continue fighting for our right to better social services and basic welfare,” ended Hicap. ###
