Comelec exempts AKAP, other aid programs from poll ban, bars candidates from distribution

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Commission on Elections has approved the Social Welfare Department’s request to exempt the distribution of billions in aid from the 45-day disbursement ban ahead of the May 12 midterm elections.

The Omnibus Election Code prohibits the release, disbursement, and expenditure of public funds 45 days before a regular election and 30 days before a special election, with limited exemptions. The DSWD sought additional exemptions.

In a memorandum issued on Wednesday, Jan. 8, the Comelec approved its law department’s recommendation to grant the exemption, setting several conditions, including that the program "shall not in any manner influence the conduct of the May 12, 2025 National and Local Elections, and BARMM Parliamentary Elections."

Comelec Chairman George Garcia emphasized the need for "strict compliance" with these rules, stressing that there should be "no candidate/politician during the distribution of ayuda (aid) in any form or nature."

Among those now exempted is the controversial Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program, a social assistance initiative for minimum wage earners, with over P882.97 million allocated for disbursement.

Critics have expressed concerns that the program could be used for vote buying, while the DSWD is strengthening its guidelines to ensure a politics-free implementation.

Here is the complete list of exempted programs:

+ Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) - P38.4 billion

+ Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) - P511.4 million

+ Services for Residential and Center-based Clients - P33.45 million

+ Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) - P96.93 million

+ Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens - P401.6 million

+ Implementation of RA No. 10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016 - P15.175 million

+ Protective Services for Individuals & Families in Especially Difficult Circumstances (COMBASED) - P29.4 million

+ Protective Services for Individuals & Families in Especially Difficult Circumstances (PROPER) - P2.089 million

+ Services to Displaced Persons (Deportees) - P4 million

+ Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons - P628,200

+ Assistance to Persons with Disability & Senior Citizens - P380,580

+ National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction - P1.5 million

+ KALAHI-CIDSS-KKB - P257.79 million

+ Philippines Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP) - P44.356 million

+ Bangsamoro Umpungan sa Nutrisyon (BangUn) - P123.26 million

+ PAMANA Peace & Development - P47.298 million

+ PAMANA DSWD/LGU Led Livelihood - P534.289 million

+ Pag-Abot Program - P500.378 million

+ Philippine Food Stamp Program/Walang Gutom Program (WGP) - P7.25 billion

+ Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) - P882.97 million

+ KALAHI-CIDSS-NCDDP Additional Financing - P564,633

+ Beneficiary FIRST Project (BFIRST) - P238.7 million

+ Trust Receipt - P395.65 million

+ Tara Basa! Tutoring Program - P1.08 billion

+ Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) - National Program Management Office - P4.645 million

+ Social Technology Development and Enhancement - P32.5 million

+ Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) - P7.586 billion

+ Financial assistance routinary and normally given to qualified individuals - P3.075 billion