ILIGAN City residents have condemned a viral social media video that appears to show beneficiaries of the Tulong Pangkabuhayan to Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (Tupad) program being selected based on their political affiliation.
The video, recorded during a June 20 distribution event at the Barangay Kiwalan gym, shows that most recipients were wearing red, the political color associated with Rep. Celso G. Regencia.
Retired Police Col. Leony Roy Ga, who is set to run for mayor in 2025, reportedly stated in a speech that priority would be given to Regencia’s supporters, with remaining benefits allocated to those in blue, the color of incumbent Mayor Frederick W. Siao’s team.
During a radio program, retired City Prosecutor Atty. Samson Dajao suggested that this could be seen as vote-buying, though Ga cannot be legally challenged on this basis as he has not yet filed his candidacy.
Dajao criticized the involvement of the congressional office in the distribution, which is typically the responsibility of the Department of Labor and Employment and local government units.
He noted that this practice has been tolerated, leading to its politicization, and suggested that any legal action should also implicate the labor department.
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