Foundation accused of illegal fundraising

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CEBU CITY — A foundation founded by a Cebu gubernatorial candidate is now the subject of a government probe over allegations of illegal fundraising in the wake of Typhoon Odette.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has confirmed it is pursuing a case against Simply Share Foundation Inc. (SSFI), a charitable group established by Cebu gubernatorial aspirant Pamela Baricuatro allegedly to solicit donations without the necessary government permit.

Among the questioned transactions are a P1 million donation from the Philippine Navy in February 2022 and the use of Baricuatro's personal GCash account to gather funds.

In an earlier report, lawyer Megan Manahan, director of the DSWD Standards Bureau, stated that initial findings suggest potential criminal and administrative violations under Presidential Decree 1564, known as the Solicitation Permit Law.

While SSFI is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and accredited by the DSWD, the agency confirmed that the foundation obtained its License to Operate (LTO) only in January 2025, long after the donation drive in question.

A DSWD Central Visayas certification dated March 25, 2025, and signed by Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero, confirmed that SSFI did not possess a solicitation permit during the time the donations were accepted.

Lucero said their regional office is conducting a separate investigation.

Earlier, Baricuatro, who is challenging incumbent Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia in the May 12 elections, said that SSFI's mission is to reduce food waste by redistributing surplus food to marginalized communities.

The gubernatorial candidate added that she stepped down as executive director after filing her Certificate of Candidacy and that the foundation is now led by her daughter, Dr. Elisse Nicole Catalan.

In an official statement released on Monday, April 7, Catalan clarified that the donation drive during Typhoon Odette was not initiated by the foundation itself.

"At that time, Cebu was in a state of crisis. It was our former volunteer, Ms. Bea Gomez — then the reigning Miss Universe Philippines — who took it upon herself to rally support," Catalan said.

"Simply Share Foundation merely served as the conduit and action arm to distribute aid directly to those in need," explained Catalan.

Catalan stressed that the foundation was legally registered and compliant at the time, with SEC Registration CN201534177 and DSWD Registration DSWD-FO7-R-001-2021.

She questioned why SSFI was being singled out when many civic groups acted similarly during the emergency.

"We find it troubling that it is only Simply Share Foundation that is now being questioned," she said, adding that "this is a matter that pertains to the actions and operations of the institution, not the individual."

The governor's brother Byron Garcia, who first raised the allegations online, maintained that SSFI's actions were illegal.

He said he saw reports on their website stating that Simply Share had no license to operate in 2021, and that it was only in 2025 that they were issued one.

Catalan argued that the criticisms are politically motivated.

"Let the elections conclude first. Only then can any process be fair, objective, and free from political influence," she said.

Despite the controversy, SSFI was recognized by DSWD 7 as the Best Non-Government Organization in 2022 for its disaster relief work.