The Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP) on Sunday warned the public against individuals and groups allegedly misrepresenting the agency and Special Assistant to the President Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr. to solicit money or financial assistance.
In a statement, OSAP said reports had reached the office that certain persons were falsely claiming links to the agency and using its name in fraudulent and unlawful activities targeting local government units and the public.
OSAP stressed that the office, its officials, and its staff do not solicit funds or request financial assistance through informal channels.
“Neither the OSAP nor its officials and staff, led by Special Assistant to the President Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr., do not, and will never, solicit funds, request financial assistance, or conduct official transactions through informal communication such as SMS or private messaging applications,” the office said.
The agency advised local government units, officials, and personnel to exercise caution when receiving supposed funding or project-related directives claiming to come from OSAP.
“Local government units, their executives, officials, and staff are advised to exercise extreme caution and verify any funding or project-related directives claiming to originate from the OSAP by validating them exclusively through established institutional channels,” it said.
OSAP also urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious communications or solicitations involving individuals claiming to represent the office.
“The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious solicitations or communications claiming to represent the OSAP,” it added.