Locsin returns Del Rosario’s P500,000 donation to ‘Recto Bank 22’

THEY LOST EVERYTHING The fishing boat Gem-Vir 1, shown at home in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, in this file photo, was anchored at Recto Bank in the South China Sea when it was hit by a Chinese vessel on Sunday (June 9, 2019) night. It sank but the crew survived, although, according to the boat owner, they lost their catch and everything else on the boat. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Monday said he returned the P500, 000 that former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario gave for the 22 Mindoro fishermen, whose boat was rammed and sunk at Recto (Reed) Bank in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

In an earlier text message to reporters, Del Rosario said he made the donation through DFA last June 19 “to manifest from my heart that we truly care for them and sympathize with what has happened.”

Locsin, however, said DFA “cannot dispense donations.”

“I have to return the P500,00 check donation or I shall be compelled to turn it over to the Treasury,” Locsin said in a tweet.

“DFA cannot dispense donations,” he added.

Locsin added he “won’t turn it over to another department” as it is a form of “malversation.”

“So with florid expressions of gratitude I had it returned to Del Rosario,” Locsin said.

I have to return the P500,000 check donation or I shall be compelled to turn it over to Treasury. DFA cannot dispense donations. I certainly won't turn it over to another department; that's malversation. So with florid expressions of gratitude I had it returned to Del Rosario. https://t.co/6paiMSE1O9

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) June 24, 2019

INQUIRER.net has sought the reaction of Del Rosario on the matter, but has yet to receive a response as of this posting. (Editor: Katherine G. Adraneda)