Another P12B AKAP funding exempted from Eleksyon 2025 spending ban

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has exempted another P12 billion worth of Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) funding from the election spending ban for Eleksyon 2025.

According to a memorandum issued Tuesday, the poll body approved the request of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to exempt some of its programs from the spending ban for the May polls.

This developed after the DSWD submitted the guidelines for the implementation of the financial assistance program to Comelec early this month.

Exempted from Section 261 (v) (2) of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC) are the following DSWD programs:

• Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) — P216,125,000
• Services for Residential and Center-based Clients — P2,125,467,125.25
• Supplementary Feeding Program — P1,187,351,574.08
• Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens — P15,371,768,260.74
• Protective Services for Individuals & Families in Especially Difficult Circumstances (PROPER) — P5,400,000
• Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons — P1,232,000
• Assistance to Persons with Disability and Senior Citizens — P1,499,575
• Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) — P12,633,600,000
• LAWA and BINHI Project — P503,608,723.21
• KALAHI-CIDSS-KKB for Communicty Driven nd Development projects and Cash for Work Programs — P98,386,122.86
• Philippines Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Project — P28,287,223.85
• Liwanag at Tubig Assistance Welfare — P100,000,000

This is the second exemption of the AKAP program from the election spending ban after the Comelec granted the DSWD’s first request involving P882 million in January. 

Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia, meanwhile, reiterated the implementation of AKAP should adhere to the submitted guidelines, which include the prohibition of politicians and associated materials during the distribution of the financial assistance.

Garcia also said they proposed that local Comelec officials be invited during the disbursement, if possible.

“Tatandaan natin, hindi nila pera yan, pera yan ng sambayanan,” said Garcia.

(Let's remember, it's not their money, it's the people's money.)

“Sa mga kababayan natin, dapat maunawaan natin na ang pamimigay ng ayuda ay para sa atin dahil deserving tayo makakuha niyan... Therefore, hindi dapat nae-exclude ang iba dahil kalaban sa politika o hindi kayo sumusuporta,” he added.

(The public must understand that the distribution of aid is for us because we deserve it. Others should not be excluded because they are political opponents or do not support you.)

Garcia likewise urged the public to report any violations in the distribution guidelines.

“What we have given, we can always take away. What we have given as an exemption, we can always remove that exemption,” he said.

The poll body earlier said it opted to wait for the submission of the guidelines for the implementation of the cash aid program before acting on the DSWD’s request.

Section 261 (v) (1) of the Omnibus Election Code prohibits public officials, employees, including barangay officials and government-owned or controlled corporations, from releasing, disbursing, or expending public funds for public works within 45 days before a regular election and 30 days before a special election—except for maintenance of existing or completed public works projects, work undertaken by contract through public bidding, and emergency work.

Under Comelec Resolution No. 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 2024, 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. —VAL, GMA Integrated News

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