Funds intended for the emergency employment of poor Filipinos cannot be used for the ongoing signature campaign for the Charter change, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma said.

The statement was issued in response to reports that access to government aid programs had been offered in exchange for supporting a people's initiative to amend the Constitution and require Congress to vote jointly on further changes to the 37-year-old charter.

“Hindi po puwede na ipangako po ‘yan dahil mayroon pong proseso—nagkakaroon ng profiling kung eligible ka, at dapat masunod din yung mga requirements sa documentation ng ating Commission on Audit (We are unable to ensure that due to the existing process, which involves filing a profile if you meet the eligibility requirements and adhering to the Commission on Audit documentation guidelines),” said Laguesma.

Laguesma expressed dissatisfaction with TUPAD's apparent engagement as an incentive to persuade individuals to support a political project.

He noted that measures are in place to guarantee that the cash-for-work program is properly implemented, such as extensive beneficiary evaluations and collaboration with regional offices and local government entities.

“Ito po ay cash-for-work, hindi po ito yung dole out lamang – ito po’y pinagtatrabahuhan at mayroong minimum at maximum period at lagi po ang sweldo rito ay nakabatay sa existing na minimum wage sa anuman pong rehiyon na mayroong programa ang DOLE na TUPAD (This is cash-for-work; it is not simply giving out money; there is a minimum and maximum period, and the salary here is always based on the current minimum wage in any region where DOLE has a TUPAD program),” Laguesma said.

“Hindi pahihintulutan ng DOLE na kami’y maging kasangkapan sa mga gawaing hindi naman angkop sa batas (The DOLE will not allow us to serve as a tool in illegal actions that aren't in line with the law),” he added.