Health group urged Noynoy not to accept campaign funds from tobacco industry

“Continue to make a difference. Stop the tradition of indebtedness to industry campaign donors and sponsors and don’t accept campaign funds from sectors and groups that will surely seek political favors later.”
 
This is the challenge posed by the health alliance, Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines (FCAP) as Sen. Noynoy Aquino declared his presidential bid today.
 
“Refusing any material help from the tobacco industry and other interest groups will be his ultimate show of sacrifice and selfless service to the Filipino people. He has to dissociate himself from the pack of traditional politicians including past presidents who failed to uphold public interest because of pressures from their benefactors,” said Dr. Maricar Limpin, FCAP Executive Director.

Limpin said twenty six years after EDSA and after four presidents, the people have yet to see government leaders that can rebuff funds offered by the likes of Lucio Tan, Philip Morris and other business interests who remain to exert formidable influence in the country’s political institutions.
 
“We have been in this advocacy ever since and we have seen all forms of pressure from these camps to block health and other tobacco control measures in the executive and legislative branches. If Sen. Aquino is seriously considering his presidential bid, he has to take the necessary steps for clean, fair and effective governance. First and foremost of which is to get rid of the dirty baggage,” said Limpin. (END)