2 PNRC officials clear Gordon over ‘use of Red Cross’ in campaign

SANTIAGO CITY, Isabela—Presidential aspirant Richard Gordon on Thursday found an ally in two Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) officials who defended him amid allegations that he is using the humanitarian agency to advance his political ambitions. In an interview with GMANews.TV on Thursday, Governor Dakila Carlo "Dax" Cua of Quirino province allayed suspicions that the senator was using his position as PNRC chairman to woo the electorate. "That's not true. He has never twisted anybody's arm, I can swear on that," said Cua, who is a member of the PNRC board of governors. He added that the Bagumbayan Party standard bearer has been very clear that PNRC is a neutral organization and that Gordon was not running as a Red Cross candidate. Santiago City, Isabela Mayor Amelita Navarro expressed the same view. Navarro, who is also a member of the PNRC‘s board of governors like Cua, said she has been helping Gordon in her personal capacity and not as a Red Cross official. "He does not like to use Red Cross in his campaign. He said that several times during our board meeting," she said. Cua and Navarro spoke to GMANews.TV after Gordon's dinner meeting with Red Cross volunteers in Santiago City, Isabela as part of his Cagayan-Isabela sortie on Thursday and Friday. Gordon has been facing such allegations since the senator would always refer to his achievements as PNRC chair during his campaign speeches. Critics are also taking issue with his motives in performing his Red Cross duties during the campaign period. Gordon, for his part, repeatedly maintained that he never abused his PNRC position. He added that he has been with the charitable agency for almost 43 years, and would not stop his volunteer work despite his pursuit of the presidency. He further said that while the Red Cross is politically neutral, that does not mean that its members could no longer campaign for their chosen candidates.—JV, GMANews.TV