Lucy Torres-Gomez against abolition of pork barrel fund
The EDSA rallyists can say all they want. Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez is against the abolition of the controversial pork barrel fund.
While she concedes pork barrel funds have been abused, the host of TV5’s new showbiz-oriented talk show “Showbiz Police” thinks government officials like her, need Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to help her constituents.
“Dapat ma-imbestigahan (ang pork barrel fund scam). Accountable kami sa public. Pero sana huwag ito ma-abolish. It’s a way for us representatives to address the needs of our constituents.”
Lucy explains that government can’t meet every Filipino’s needs. So it is her job to fill in the gaps through pork funds.
“Ginagamit namin ito para sa ospital, for scholarships, for medical assistance. Hindi naman pwedeng dumayo ang lahat ng tao sa Malacanang para humingi ng tulong.”
Lucy is convinced “may lapse ang COA (Commission on Audit) kung bakit umabot ng ganito kalaki (ang problema),” but she thinks people should stop judging all politicians like her harshly.
“Ang stand ko, kunwari, may barumbadong driver ang kotse. Hindi mo pwedeng sabihing lahat ng nag-da-drive ng kotse ay barumbado. Linilinis natin ang system. Hindi ito perfect.”
Be that as it may, Lucy knows she has to respect President Noynoy Aquino’s decision to abolish PDAF.
“As his party mate, and as somebody who believes in the President, sunod tayo.”
Showbiz politicians
She knows some people don’t look kindly on showbiz politicians these days because of senators Bong Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada’s alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam.
“Nababanggit lang ang mga actor-politicians parati kasi mas kilala sila. But they’re not the only ones on the list. Marami pa sigurong pangalan diyan. Unfair na lalahatin mo.”
Jinggoy is a friend. And Lucy speaks well of him.
“He gave me five classrooms (in Ormoc) without asking for anything in return.”
Except when asked, Lucy doesn’t talk politics when she’s with showbiz people and avoids discussing showbiz in the hallowed walls of Congress. It’s like being a wife and mother, says Lucy.
You have to switch gears when you’re wearing a different hat.
“Lucy’s Desk,” the lady legislator’s segment in “Showbiz Police,” is an extension of her work in government. It sees her having heart-to-heart talks with the needy.
Other segments in the show are Cristy Fermin’s “Cornered by Cristy,” where the feisty writer-host throws hard-hitting questions at guests; director Joey Reyes’ “Direk’s Statement,” which analyses showbiz controversies and trending topics and Raymond Gutierrez’s interviews on stars.
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