Batangas Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) President Fernan Rocafort denied the allegation of Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste that he told barangay officials they could not access the President’s Socio-Civic Projects Fund (SCPF) due to supposed political reasons.
In an official statement, Rocafort called Leviste’s claim false and said barangay captains from the first district had apologized for being unable to attend because they were allegedly prevented and intimidated by their congressman.
“Isa pong kasinungalingan ang pahayag ni Cong. Leandro Leviste na ako ay may sinabihan na hindi sila pwedeng makakuha ng SCPF program ng Pangulo dahil ‘tampo’ si Governor Vilma Santos Recto,” Rocafort said.
He added that his office still assisted in processing the documents of the affected barangays for submission to the Office of the President.
“Lingid sa kaalaman ni Cong. Leandro Leviste, kahit sila ay pinigilang dumalo, tumulong pa din po ang opisina natin upang maproseso ang kanilang mga dokumento sa Opisina ng ating Pangulo,” he explained.
The Batangas ABC president also appealed to Leviste not to drag barangay officials into politics.
“Ako po ay nakiki-usap na sana po huwag ipitin o gamitin sa pamumulitika ang mga kapwa kong Kapitan,” he said.