Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo hit back at opposition senators for allegedly putting "malice" in the community pantries and using them against the government.
According to Panelo, some lawmakers have unfairly faulted the alleged gaps in the government's pandemic response as the reason behind the emergence of these charitable endeavors. He maintained that the community pantries are "beautiful and selfless" initiatives aimed at helping people in need, and should not be politicized by critics.
The community pantries have recently symbolized the emergence of a kindness phenomenon across the country as the nation reels from the devastating economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The fast-spreading movement started with a small wooden cart in a village in Quezon City where anyone can donate and get food based on their needs. Inspired by the Maginhawa food cart, more community pantries have sprouted up all over the country.
"Itong mga senador na ito, mawalang-galang na huwag kayong magagalit, pero mali ang ginagawa ninno. Kumbaga nilalagyan ninyo ng malisya (ang) kaganda-gandang initiative ng mga nasa likod ng community pantries (With due respect to these senators, please do not get angry but what you're doing is wrong. You're apparently putting malice in this beautiful initiative of the people behind the community pantries)," Panelo said during his "Counterpoint" program Tuesday, April 20.
"Sa halip na gamitin ito ng mga oposisyon na senador at mga kritiko na ipakita na kaya nagkakaroon ng community pantry ay dahil sa kabiguan, dapat pinupuri ninyo at huwag ninyong isama. Dapat purihin ninyo sapagkat tumutulong sila sa pamalaan upang bigyan ng ayuda 'yung marami pang nangangailangan na kababayan (Instead of the opposition senators and critics alleging the community pantries have emerged due to government failure, you should praise these efforts and not drag the government. You should commend them for helping the government to give aid to more people in need)," he said.
Panelo also rejected critics' allegations that the community pantries were an off-shoot of the government's shortcomings in helping people affected by the pandemic. He lamented that critics would nitpick on the government for either doing nothing or not doing enough.
"Contrary doon sa sinasabi ng mga oposisyonistang senador at mga kongresista, hindi ito nagpapakita na kaya sila lumikha nun dahil galit sila sa gobyerno, pinapakita nila ang kawalan ng kakayahan ng gobyerno. Hindi po (Contrary to the statements of opposition senators and congressmen, these do not show that they initiated the pantries because they are angry with the government and wanted to show the incompetence of the government. That’s not the case)," he said.
"Ginawa ni Patricia, from her own words, because 'I wanted to help.' Marami ang gustong tumulong at sinawa ang pagtulong niya pang siłą ay makatulong din. Ganoon ang community pantry (Patricia did it, in her own words, because 'I wanted to help." Many people also wanted to help and saw the community pantry as a chance to help others)," he said, referring to Ana Patricia Non who initiated the Maginhawa community pantry.
Some senators earlier called on the government to step up assistance to the poor following the emergence of community food pantries across the country.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson said the community pantry was "an inspiration born out of desperation" and should stir the government "to do better."
For Sen. Grace Poe, the community pantries should be considered "a wake up call that government must do more to provide for the people.” Sen. Imee Marcos said the community pantries have mirrored "the lack of government aid.”