PHMANILA, Philippines — For once, former San Juan City mayors now Senators JV Ejercito and Jinggoy Estrada found common cause: They both rejected a city ordinance penalizing anyone who will extend aid to residents in need if they fail to inform the incumbent mayor beforehand.
The half brothers slammed City Ordinance 26 which set the guidelines on the operation and maintenance of evacuation centers during manmade or natural disasters.
The ordinance states that donations from private and public individuals or non-governmental organizations for victims of calamities should be coursed through the Office of the Mayor "for proper documentation and fair distribution."
All visitors at the evacuation centers or donors should first secure an "entry permit" from the mayor's office "to ensure the safety of evacuees."
Violators of the ordinance would be fined P5,000.
Ejercito on Tuesday said the ordinance showed "vindictiveness and political agenda."
"It is not acceptable to politicize aid given to San Juan (residents). San Juaneños deserve better," Ejercito said in a statement.
Estrada described it as "ridiculous, unreasonable, nonsensical, preposterous, whimsical, [and] capricious."
"As a lawmaker, I know that there is no existing law that prohibits [anyone] to hold those in need especially in times of emergency," Estrada said in Filipino and English.