Senatorial candidate and Makati Mayor Abby Binay on Thursday brushed off claims that the rollout of the government’s P20-rice program in the Visayas was politically motivated, saying the move was based purely on need.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas Proclamation Rally in Dagupan City, Binay expressed frustration over the criticism aimed at a program meant to help both poor families and struggling farmers.

“Are we supposed to tell people, ‘Let’s wait until after the elections to give out affordable rice so it won’t look like politicking?’ That’s not how government should work,” Binay said in a mix of English and Filipino. “If you can help now, why wait? You can’t say, ‘I’ll wait for the perfect timing.’”

She emphasized that the program aims to ease the burden on low-income families by making rice more affordable, while also supporting local farmers whose livelihoods are being threatened by falling rice prices in the global market.

Binay also pointed out that many issues affecting people today, like inflation, and rising fuel and electricity costs — are beyond the President’s control. That’s why she believes the government must step in with targeted support like the rice subsidy program.

“The government is already doing its part to help, and yet it’s still being criticized,” she said. “It’s frustrating — this isn’t an easy position to be in.”

Addressing the choice to start the program in the Visayas, Binay insisted it had nothing to do with politics. In fact, if it were about securing political points, she said, Mindanao would’ve been the obvious choice.

“I don’t think the President or the administration picks areas based on political gain — whether it’s a stronghold or not,” she said. “I think the decision was made based on who really needs it the most. That’s why those provinces were chosen.”

Meanwhile, Binay received a scale model of the Makati Life Medical Center (MLMC) from president and CEO Dr. Dennis Sta. Ana during the hospital’s formal opening on Thursday.

Located in Makati’s Business District, MLMC is the country’s first and largest public-private partnership hospital, a collaboration between the city government of Makati and Life Nurture Inc.