FORMER SOCIAL WELFARE chief Judy M. Taguiwalo on Tuesday denied reports that she funded the communist armed group New People’s Army (NPA) using government budget, an accusation given credence by President Rodrigo R. Duterte himself. “For the record and for the President’s own awareness, not a single peso of the 4Ps (cash transfer for the poor) program passed through my hands,” Ms. Taguiwalo, known for her left-leaning background, said in a statement a day after Mr. Duterte claimed that he has received reports that some 4Ps funds were granted by Ms. Taguiwalo to NPA members. Ms. Taguiwalo, however, asserted that the list of beneficiaries were simply adopted from the previous administration and that funds are distributed directly through the government-owned Land Bank of the Philippines. Ms. Taguiwalo said the allegations “are being made to pass off as justifications of her rejection” by the Commission on Appointments. In a speech in Malacañang yesterday, Mr. Duterte said an envelope containing money supposedly from the 4Ps program was found at an NPA camp and what bothers him most is the fund being used to purchase guns and ammunition. “I’m not so concerned about money reaching the hands of the NPAs, especially if that money bought something to eat,” he said. — Kristine Joy V. Patag

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