Spokeswoman hit for denying fund for Reds

LAWMAKERS on Tuesday took a Palace spokeswoman to task for denying that the government had set aside P31 million for the members of the Alex Boncayao Brigade, a communist splinter group that was feared for its high-profile political assassinations in its heyday in the 1980s.

“There is no truth to that,” presidential deputy spokeswoman Abigail Valte said in a text message to the Manila Standard when she was asked about the P31-million fund.

But presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles confirmed that the money was intended for a housing and livelihood program for the rebels.

“Lying or covering up for the different blunders for the release of the funds for those who killed government troopers with impunity cannot be justified at all,” said Maguindanao Rep. Simeon Datumanong, an opposition lawmaker.

Still, Valte said the government did not turn over the fund to any group, but merely identified the communities that needed development that could be financed by government money.

“There is no such thing as a P31-million grant to the ABB,” Valte said.

“The Pamana project is aimed at developing communities and livelihoods in cooperation with local government units.”

House Deputy Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez said the government bungling was deplorable, and that it should come clean and tell the public the truth about what was happening in Mindanao.

Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay criticized the Aquino administration’s “peace-at-all-costs” approach to dealing with the rebels.

Even administration ally and Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya, chairman of the House committee on appropriations, said Congress should see if the P31-million fund was properly allocated for its stated purpose. –Maricel Cruz, Manila Standard Today