LT Group clarifies donation of face masks to Cavite hospital

They said they had asked advice from Sen. Go’s office where best to send their donation, and added that it was unfortunate that their gesture was “misconstrued,” adding that the senator had no knowledge about the label on the boxes.

The image that was widely circulated showed a box labeled “400 pcs. (pieces) surgical mask” and addressed to a hospital in Bacoor City, Cavite. The label also showed the following words: “From Senator Bong Go thru Lucio Tan Group of Companies and PMFTC, Inc.”

Some netizens had used the photo to claim that Go was involved in handling donations to government of supplied for COVID-19 medical frontliners. Go has slammed the claims as “utterly false, deliberate disinformation, and black propaganda.”

The LT Group’s statement in full reads:

“The President has called on the private sector to help address the health crisis brought about byh the COVID-19 pandemic. It is during these times that public and private sector cooperation and coordination is most needed.

“We defer to our government and public health authorities and seek their advice on how to prioritize the allocations of our donations as they are in a better position to do so.

“Due to numerous requests for assistance we have received, we have asked guidance from the Office of Senator Bong Go, in his capacity as chairman of the Senate committee on health, in identifying beneficiaries which in this instance, are the medical front-liners in Cavite. It is unfortunate that some quarters are misconstruing Sen. Go’s advice due to labels on the packaging which the senator has no knowledge of.

“The most important priority is to help the country and for everybody to come together as one. We will continue to support our country’s fight against the coronavirus in whatever way we can.”

Go earlier said that his office is only helping connect donors to intended beneficiaries such as hospitals and health workers.

“We act as a bridge to connect the private sector to the right agencies to address their concerns and, at the same time, we also help those asking for assistance by connecting them to the appropriate public or private entities that can respond to their needs,” he said.

LT Group, Inc. is a publicly listed holding company of business tycoon Lucio Tan, with businesses related to air transport, real estate, banking, food and beverage, and tobacco and alcohol, among others.