Mindanao earthquake aid: Sandro Marcos slams 'zero MOOE' claims

MANILA, Philippines — House of Representatives Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos urged journalists to fact-check or verify information related to government’s relief efforts following the massive earthquake that struck Mindanao last week.

The presidential son made the remark following an ambush interiew at the Batasang Pambansa complex, when he was asked about reports that General Santos City did not receive any MOOE (mainternance and other operating expenses) allocation.

READ: Mindanao earthquake death toll rises to 68; 33 still missing

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Marcos dismissed the claim, saying it was “impossible” for any locality to receive zero budget.

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“Ma’am that seems to be mere stories only, there’s no such thing as zero MOOE. There’s no such thing as zero budget either. Ma,’am that’s impossible.  Where did you get that?,” Marcos said.

When the reporter replied that the information was provided by “Cong. Leviste” — referring to Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste – Marcos asked if it had been verified.

Receiving no response, Marcos stressed that journalists should be more discerning on information given to them.

READ: Leviste wants House to allocate P14B for disaster victims’ food packs

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Then Marcos scolded the reporter.

“No, you said it came from stories, that’s what you said, did you verify that?  No, no, no, no, answer my question, did you verify it?  […] Did you verify it, yes or no?  Okay, so next time ma’am, let us verify things first before we ask this, so that we do not rely on made-up stories,” he said, adding that it is a journalist’s responsibility to verify information.

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Marcos added that it would be “impossible” for any area such as General Santos City to receive no funding at all.

“Who would be so stupid to do that?” he said.

READ: PNP urges calm as Congress convenes special session

On June 8, a Magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck waters off Sarangani province, damaging several commercial establishments, residential areas, schools, hospitals, and even roads and runways.

In General Santos City, the elementary school building of the Notre Dame of Dadiangas University collapsed, while a fast food outlet and a supermarket in the same area were also toppled.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the death toll from the massive quake has risen to 68, with 33 still missing.

Meanwhile, Leviste earlier filed a resolution proposing a P14-billion allocation from the House budget to fund disaster relief, including food packs for affected communities.

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He also claimed some areas whose lawmakers did not support the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte received reduced or no MOOE allocations. /dp

HELP MINDANAO EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

The Inquirer Foundation is calling for support for communities devastated by the recent magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao.

In partnership with the Philippine Red Cross, the foundation is amplifying appeals for food, clean water and other critical assistance for affected families.

Donors may send contributions directly to the Philippine Red Cross through its official transfer channels, the complete list is available on the PRC’s Facebook page.

The Philippine Red Cross has activated its emergency fund campaign and deployed teams on the ground to provide medical services, distribute relief goods and extend psychosocial support to affected families.