By Argyll Cyrus Geducos  The Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) has denied calling on the National Bureau of Investigation NBI) to probe Vice President Leni Robredo for supposedly competing with the government in its efforts to combat COVID-19. PACC Commissioner and Spokesperson Greco Belgica made the statement after his colleague Manuelito Luna asked the NBI to investigate Robredo for her actions that "compete with" or are "calculated to undermine" the government's response to the pandemic. PACC Commissioner Greco Belgica
(RTVM / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) Luna cited in particular the Office of the Vice President's programs for free shuttle service, dormitory for health workers, and donation of personal protective equipment (PPEs). In a statement, Belgica said the PACC did not ask the NBI to probe Robredo and that the call for such was the personal opinion and request made by one of their commissioners and does not reflect the sentiments of the Commission. "We are thankful to everyone who are helping the frontliners and the needy, including the VP," he said. According to Belgica, the COVID-19 pandemic was not the right time for politicking as everybody should be focused on making sure that Filipinos get what they need. "This is not the time for politicking. We are not concerned with any personality. Our main concern is to make sure all the needy Filipinos get all the help they need the President promised. Our concern is to end this COVID-19 virus," he said. "Our concern is to save lives and rebuild our country and the lives of our people after all this ends." Belgica likewise appealed to the public to just help one another as the country continues to face the threat of COVID-19. "Magtulungan po tayo. Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng tumutulong, pati ang hindi lumalabas ng bahay. Tayo po ay nakakatulong sa ating pagsunod," he said. (Let's help one another. Thanks to those who continue to help, including those staying at home. We help by obeying the guidelines.) "Wala pong kulay, wala pong politika ngayon. Magkakasama po tayo bilang Pilipino sa labang ito." (There's no color nor politics right now. We are all together as Filipinos in this fight.) In an interview, Luna said it was up to the NBI if they will heed his call or not. "This is just a request made for possible violations of law. The NBI may find it meritorious or not. It depends on them eh because it’s just a request on my part in my personal and private capacity," he said. According to Luna, Vice President Robredo should have made clear her efforts with appropriate agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as her actions allegedly violated laws on solicitations. "These efforts, while commendable, may not have been cleared with appropriate authorities. I’m talking on the IATF (inter-agency task force for the COVID-19 response) because we are in a crisis, so lahat ng efforts ng gobyerno ay dapat (all government efforts should be) cohesive and then cleared and coordinated," Luna said. "She’s doing on her own and yet we are accusing or alleging that there are local officials also violating. So what’s the difference? Because she is part of the national government, she cannot compete, much less try to undermine the efforts of the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development), OCD (Office of Civil Defense), NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council), and the Task Force especially and the DOH (Department of Health)." READ MORE: OVP hits PACC’s call for probe as ‘inappropriate, ridiculous’