Aksyon Demokratiko senatorial bets Samira Gutoc, Dr. Carl Balita, and Jopet Sison on Tuesday, Feb. 15, defended Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso’s handing out of cash assistance to families displaced by a fire in Cavite City over the weekend after some claimed that his action can be considered as vote-buying.

"Bakit nyo ikwe-kwestiyon ang donasyon sa Cavite? Bakit nyo ikwe-kwestiyon ang donasyon sa sakuna? Eh kailangan na kailangan eh ((Why are you questioning the donation in Cavite? Why are you questioning the donation for the disaster? It's absolutely necessary)... Calamity is an exception to the so-called vote buying. Kailangan na kailangan (It is really needed),” Gutoc said.

“Kung makikita nyo lang ang mata nung mga taong nabuhayan ng dugo nung gabing yun hindi ninyo iisipin ang pulitika. Dahil hindi na siguro mahalaga kung sino ang naghatid dun. Ang mahalaga, may taong dumating na on the spot, kinabukasan pwede silang bumili ng pang build nila ng bahay nila kahit papaano (If you could only see the eyes of the people that night, you would not think about politics. Because maybe it doesn't matter who delivered it. The important thing is that someone helped them, and the next day they will be able to build their house somehow), I was there,” Balita said.

Sison, meanwhile, said Domagoso’s action was just a glimpse of what he can do especially if becomes the next president of the country.

“Sulyap po yan, sulyap yan sa administrasyon na makikita ninyo kapag po nanalo si Isko Moreno, bilis kilos, bilis aksyon. Pagka po may problema, nandon po tayo (That's just a glimpse of what his administration will be like when Isko Moreno wins -- swift action. When there is a problem, we will be there)," he said.


Domagoso also dismissed criticisms that his promise of cash assistance to families affected by the fire victims was equivalent to vote-buying.

“Well, I wish them well. I hope nasa mabuti silang kalagayan kasi as far as I’m concerned, nasa masamang sitwasyon yung mga kababayan natin sa Cavite City. Mahirap masunugan at may mga exemptions sa batas sa tulad ng oras ng kalamidad, aberya. Wala naman masamang tumulong (I hope they are in a good situation because as far as I’m concerned, the fire victims in Cavite City are in a bad situation. It is difficult to be a fire victim and there are exemptions in the law that in times of disaster, calamity, there is nothing wrong with helping),” the Manila mayor said.

On Sunday, Feb. 13, Domagoso donated P7.9 million to 790 families displaced by a big fire that broke out in several barangays in Cavite City over the weekend.

He said each family will receive P10,000 so that they can rebuild their homes and for their other necessities.