Comelec exempts AKAP, 27 other DSWD programs from poll spending ban

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has exempted 28 programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) from the spending ban for the 2025 May midterm elections, including the controversial Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).

The exempted amount for AKAP was indicated at P882,974,163.33.

In a memorandum issued Wednesday, the poll body approved the request of the DSWD to exempt 28 social welfare programs from Section 261 (v)(2) of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC).

The provision exempts the DSWD and other agencies performing similar functions from the ban against the "release, disbursement or expenditure of public funds" for public works, subject to some exemptions, 45 days before a regular election and 30 days before a special election.

The exempted DSWD programs are:

1. Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) — P38,402,676,222.79
2. Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) — P511,437,443.05
3. Services for Residential and Center-based Clients — P33,453,667.43
4. Supplementary Feeding Program — P96,932,449
5. Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens — P401,619,109.50
6. Centenarians Act — P15,175,400
7. Protective Services for Individuals & Families in Especially Difficult Circumstances (COMBASED)— P 29,400,0068
8. Protective Services for Individuals & Families in Especially Difficult Circumstances (PROPER) — P2,089,665.56
9. Services to Displaced Persons (Deportees) — P4,002,787.26
10. Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons — P628,200
11. Assistance to Persons with Disability and Senior Citizens — P380,580
12. National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction — P1,513,436.51
13. KALAHI-CIDSS-KKB — P257,790,435.36
14. Philippines Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Project — P44,356,171.76
15. Bangsamoro Umpungan sa Nutrisyon (BangUN) — P123,261,314.41
16. PAMANA (Peace and Development) — P47,298,421
17. PAMANA — DSWD/LGU Led Livelihood — P534,289,280.80
18. Pag-Abot Program — P500,377,600
19. Walang Gutom Program — P7,254,677,569
20. Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) — P882,974,163.33
21. KALAHI CIDSS-National Community-Driven Development Program — Additional Financing (NCDDP-AF) — P564,633.36
22. Beneficiary First Project — P238,708,773.35
23. Trust Receipt — P395,650,163.39
24. Tara Basa! Tutoring Program — P1,081,372,650
25. Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty — P4,645,006.92
26. Social Technology Development and Enhancement — P32,501,700
27. Assistance to Individual in Crisis Situation (AICS) — P7,585,839,941.99
28. Financial assistance that are routinely and normally given by the Department to qualified individuals — P3,075,040,353.74

Comelec Chair George Garcia said, "Hindi natin pipigilan 'yung distribution ng mga ayuda na ito, mga assistance na ito sa ating mamamayan na mahihirap at nangangailangan. Subalit dapat tumupad ang DSWD, ang ahensya sa mga conditionalities na nilagay natin doon."

(We will not stop the distribution of the financial aid but the DSWD must adhere to the conditionalities that we have set.)

"At isa sa pinaka-importante na ating sinulat ay dapat walang pulitiko o kandidatong present during the distribution ng mga ayuda na to, regardless of the name of the ayuda, regardless of the nature, regardless of the form," he said.

(We also ordered that no politician or candidate should be present during the distribution of the financial aid, regardless of its name, regardless of its nature, regardless of the form.)

Under Comelec Resolution 11060, a certificate of exemption is needed to implement activities and programs on social welfare projects and services while the public spending ban is in effect from March 28 to May 11, 2025.

In December, the Comelec granted the request of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to exempt some of its programs from the spending ban. It likewise issued certificates of exemption for 48 infrastructure projects ahead of the May midterm polls.

Some members of Congress specifically raised concerns about the P26-billion funding for AKAP, which President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. retained in the 2025 national budget.

Leaders of the House of Representatives had previously dismissed claims that the program is being used as a political tool ahead of the May 2025 elections.

Over the weekend, the DSWD said it is tightening its guidelines in implementing AKAP to ensure that it would not be used for political gains. — VDV, GMA Integrated News