Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian warned anew politicians and candidates who exploit the poor and vulnerable sectors for their personal or political gains.

“Wala munang paalala. Siguro ay banta o warning sa mga kumakandidato na ang layunin ay pagsamantalahan ang mga mahihirap, vulnerable, at marginalized na gagamitin para sa kanilang personal at political gains. Huwag nating isipin yon dahil mahigpit na ipinagbabawal yan ng Commission on Elections (Comelec) at ng mga ahensya katulad ng DSWD. Alam ko pati ang Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ay nakabantay. Pati ang ating Pangulo ay nakabantay,” Secretary Gatchalian said in an interview with TV 5 on Thursday (April 10) on the sidelines of the agreement signing ceremony with the MVP Group.

The DSWD chief’s statement follows recent reports of campaign activities where members of vulnerable sectors were subjected to insensitive jokes and used to discredit political rivals.

In his statement, Secretary Gatchalian condemned the use of marginalized groups including solo parents, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities, as campaign props or subjects of jokes during barangay-based caucuses and election sorties.

“Kaya huwag na nating subukan kung plano pa nating gawin. Ang mga mahihirap, may kapansanan, mga matatanda, the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized, hindi sila props para sa kampanya, hindi sila punchline ng mga biro sa kampanya. Let us not go there anymore. So banta to or warning to sa mga nagbabalak,” Secretary Gatchalian told TV 5.

The DSWD chief earlier said in a news forum that the DSWD will continue to be a watchdog to protect the poor, marginalized and vulnerable sectors against any forms of abuse and exploitation.

The DSWD will also provide necessary assistance such as financial aid, psychosocial and emotional interventions, and legal assistance to the affected individuals, according to Secretary Gatchalian. (YADP)