Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy Taguiwalo’s alleged link with the communist insurgents became the focus of the Commission on Appointments’ confirmation hearing on Wednesday.
Taguiwalo told the panel that she is not a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
“I am a member of the cabinet and Alliance of Concerned Teachers,” she stated.
Senator Panfilo Lacson asked the Social Welfare secretary if she was endorsed to President Duterte by the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF).
Taguiwalo confirmed this.
Lacson then asked if Taguiwalo shuns violence as means to attack government officials and personnel.
Taguiwalo replied that the communists believe they are fighting for the people, just like the soldiers and the police.
Lacson thought that Taguiwalo was evading the question.
“If you don’t want to answer, then that is fine with me. I know more or less what’s on your mind,” Lacson said.
The senator recalled his classmate at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) was killed by the NPAs in 1987.
His classmate was just buying some spare parts when the rebels finished him off.