I am deeply saddened by the alleged highway robbery that took place yesterday, October 17 along Caibaan or Barangay 95 – A  and Maharlika Highway in Tacloban City. There are many and varied speculations to this grim happening. I am open to all of these possibilities, but let us respect the outcome of a long and intensive investigation of the Philippine National Police. The Department of Social Welfare and Development is an agency of integrity, and of men who are unheralded heroes. The action of one or two people does not make an entity a corrupt agency. If proven, I can only say that mistakes are part of being human. However, my people have undeniably the heart and soul of a lion – dedicated to serve, so much as to sacrifice their families. If there could be any wrongdoings, it could also be of extreme necessity and the temptation that is there. I do not say that I tolerate such kind of incident. I have gathered many times today my staff who are disbursing officers – designate – they, who are overloaded with their regular jobs, yet, carry additional risks and responsibilities to personally deliver the services that our poor farmers and fisherfolk, as well as our senior citizens need.

The amount involved is a huge sum of eight million pesos – that is cash assistance for the poor farmers and fisherfolk of Catarman in Northern Samar. I have already sought assistance from the Central Office to have the lost amount replenished, as I cannot compromise the state of our beneficiaries who are barely without income during lean months. This is the first time in history that such a thing happened! I know our eager beneficiaries are waiting, and wanting to be part of our development efforts – even with a meager amount of Php 2, 409 .00, the cash equivalent for four days of training and seven days of restoration/mitigation work of community facilities, or food production, or similar community work/project.

I beg everyone, please let us be silent until the right judgment comes.