After anti-tobacco advocates criticized the government for accepting gifts from the tobacco industry, Malacañang clarified that the government is allowed to receive donations if there is no violation of the law.

This after a US-based multinational tobacco company reportedly donated mobile clinics to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which event was held in the Palace grounds with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian in attendance.

Anti-tobacco advocates said the donation violated Joint Memorandum Circular 2010-01 between the Department of Health (DoH) and the Civil Service Commission that bars government officials from engaging with the tobacco industry.

They said that while the donation did not go directly to Herbosa or Gatchalian, their presence and involvement at the event said otherwise.

Sought for reaction, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said there was nothing wrong with accepting donations as long as it is done in accordance with the law.

For their inclusion in photo ops at the event, Castro said this was okay and public servants should be cordial.

“If he did a photo op, it doesn’t mean he was violating any law. And even if someone else, if you are a public servant and you are requested to have a picture taken, you should be a gentleman; it doesn’t mean that you are doing a photo op, it will ruin the image of the DoH and it will also ruin government policy,” she said.

Castro noted that if private companies consider donating to the government for the betterment of the people, the government will accept it as long as it does not violate any rules or laws.

“If there are occasions when someone makes a donation and it is for the good of the government, as long as there is no violation of any rules and laws, we will not refuse any assistance provided by private companies or any agency or organization,” she said.