Comelec exempts ₱12B more AKAP funds, others from poll spending ban
Metro Manila, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday has exempted from the election spending ban billions of pesos more in safety net funds for minimum wage and low-income earners, among other social welfare items.
In a memorandum issued Feb. 20 and announced on Tuesday, March 18, the poll body approved ₱12.6 billion in Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) funds in addition to the ₱800 million that were granted exemption in January.
READ: Comelec exempts AKAP, other aid programs from poll ban, bars candidates from distribution
Critics have expressed concern that the program could be used to buy votes for the May 12 midterm polls, even as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has assured the public of strict guidelines to make sure the disbursement is free from political influence.
“If it is possible, the election officer of the municipality or city (or his/her authorized representative) shall be invited as witness during the distribution to ensure compliance with the foregoing conditions,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia wrote in the memo.
Meanwhile, the poll body also granted new exemptions to three other DSWD programs, namely, Philippines Multi-Sectoral Nutrition, ₱28.28 million; Liwanag at Tubig Assistance Welfare, ₱100 million; and LAWA and BINHI, ₱503.6 million.
Apart from AKAP, Comelec also exempted additional funds for eight other DSWD programs, namely,
- Sustainable Livelihood Program, ₱216.12 million
- Services for Residential and Center-based Clients, ₱2.12 billion
- Supplementary Feeding Program, ₱1.18 billion
- Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens, ₱15.37 billion
- Protective Services for Individuals & Families in Especially Difficult Circumstances, ₱5.400 million
- Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons, ₱1.23 million
- Assistance to Persons with Disability and Senior Citizens — ₱1.5 million
- KALAHI-CIDSS-KKB for Community Driven and Development projects and Cash for Work Programs — ₱98.38 million
Under Comelec Resolution 11060, social welfare projects and services need a certificate of exemption to implement activities and programs. The public spending ban is in effect from March 28 to May 11, 2025.
