POLL watchdog Kontra Daya yesterday said former Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) spokesperson Celina Pialago is not a nominee of the Frontliners Ang Bida party-list in the May 9 elections.
In a Fact-check statement, Kontra Daya belied claims by Pialago in her verified Facebook page that she is a nominee of the Frontliners.
“Pialago is not listed as a party-list nominee of 111 Frontliners Ang Bida party-list group,” said Kontra Daya.
It said that records show that the five party-list nominees of Frontliners are Joher H. Joson, Arturo N. Atayde, Ruby Rose B. Lumbad-Del Castillo, Jaybee C. Ruiz, and Poch Merick B. Bonifacio II.
The group said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has said that no substitution has been made by any party-list group.
“In a tweet on April 6, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said that there were no withdrawals or substitutions of party-list nominees beyond November 15,” said Kontra Daya.
Pialago was a nominee of the disqualified party-list group Malasakit. She has been reported as being “adopted” by the Frontliners back in February 2022.
On March 30 this year, Pialago shared in her social media account a picture that identifies her as a “nominee” of Frontliners.
Similarly, tarpaulins of Frontliners have surfaced naming Pialago as among its nominees.
In a separate statement, Kontra Daya said it is concerned over the confusion being caused by the Pagtibayin at Palaguin ang Pangkabuhayang Pilipino (4Ps) party-list group from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
“There is still confusion with the party-list group’s use of the acronym 4Ps, which is already being used by DSWD,” said Kontra Daya.
It said this is because of the similarity between the party-list group’s logo and the DSWD’s 4Ps program’s logo.
“Aside from using the colors blue and red, the general shape and texture are almost the same,” said the group.
Another reason, it said, is the party-list’s questionable claim that the use of the 4Ps as acronym is similar to other party-list groups that use familiar acronyms, particularly BHW (barangay health worker) and OFW (overseas Filipino worker).
“BHW and OFW are generic acronyms. 4Ps, on the other hand, is a government program that provides conditional cash grants to poor households to assist in health and education expenses,” said Kontra Daya.
