Reynaldo Tarat-Martinez, in a long distance interview from Manila yesterday said there is no truth to the allegation that the fraternity has jointly undertaken projects with the Kasangga, a party list group in Manila or in other areas in the country.

The Kasangga, a party list group, is apparently being used by a new political group to advance its standing in the public. The group has been offering “loans” to urban poor members in different barangays in the city by requiring applicants to fill up a form with the Kasangga heading, submit ID pictures, the precinct number and the local party affiliated with. The loan, which involves P10, 000, however will be released after the election and if the standard bearer of the new party will emerge as winner in the May 14 polls.

“It is the policy and tradition of the fraternity not to be involved in politics,” Martinez said, as he questioned the intention of those concerned in bringing up the name of the fraternity in the alleged Kasangga activities.

It was mayoralty aspirant Crisanto de la Cruz, head of the Nuevo Zamboanga Movement, who mentioned the Beta Sigma Fraternity in his defense of the Kasangga party list group when issues about the loan offer broke out last week.

Camino Nuevo Barangay Chair Antonio Delez bared the so called “loan offer” and dubbed the same as a vote buying attempt from the new political group. His expose was confirmed by Canelar barangay chair Rolando Samson who also claimed that several people have lured his constituents into applying for a loan in exchange of votes for the particular new political party in the May 14 elections.

Deleza and Samson said their barangays are die hard supporters of the Lobregat-led Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino and that no amount of loan offers or other considerations could sway their constituents. (AB)