Manila City Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna on Thursday, Nov. 18, dismissed allegations that COVID-19 pandemic response funds were mishandled by the city government.
"Hindi ko alam saan galing yan, kaya lang kasi kung talagang tunay na Batang Maynila kayo, I think malalaman niyo po thru social media lahat ng nangyayari dito sa Maynila lalong lalo na ngayong pandemic (I don't know where that came from, that's why if you're really Batang Manila, I think you'll know through social media everything that's happening here in Manila, especially this time of pandemic)," Lacuna said.
"Napakaraming naming ginawa ngayong pandemic at sa tingin ko po lahat ng Batang Maynila alam ‘yan (We have done a lot in this pandemic and I think every Batang Manila knows that)," she added.
This, after mayoral candidate Alex Lopez reportedly said that the city government failed to properly address the COVID-19 situation in the city.
Lacuna also noted the city's Food Security Program that lasted for six months has benefited at least 690,000 families.
She added that the distribution of financial assistance and construction of infrastructure projects also continued in the city despite the ongoing pandemic.
"So kung hindi po iyon nakikita nila, baka hindi sila updated o hindi talaga sila taga-Maynila (So if they don't see that, they may not be updated or they are not really living in Manila)".