Quezon City Rep. Arjo Atayde was seen extending aid to flood-hit residents of his district, just weeks after denying links to controversial contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya.
On Saturday, Sept. 20, photos posted on Facebook showed Atayde personally distributing relief goods in Barangay Bagong Pag-asa and Project 6. Volunteers noted that he focused on reaching families who had remained in their homes despite heavy flooding.
“Sa kabila ng nagdaang matinding pagbaha, tiniyak ni Cong. Arjo Atayde na makarating ang tulong sa bawat pamilyang nangangailangan—lalo na sa mga hindi nakalikas at nanatili sa kanilang mga tahanan,” the post read. It also stressed that the lawmaker continues to show that “ang tunay na serbisyo ay walang hangganan—lagi siyang handang magbigay ng higit pa.”
Atayde, who is also a popular actor, took time to mingle with constituents, accommodating photo requests and chatting with residents during the distribution.
The relief effort came amid lingering controversy after the Discayas claimed in a Senate blue ribbon hearing on September 8 that certain politicians had sought money from their construction firms. Atayde was among those implicated but immediately denied the allegation, saying he never “benefited from any contractor.”
The Quezon City congressman also clarified that photos of him with the Discayas circulating online were from an “unplanned meeting.” His family and close friends, including his wife Maine Mendoza, have since spoken out in his defense.
