Comelec warns of disqualification vs bets distributing ayuda sans exemption

On the eve of the start of the 45-day local campaign period, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has warned of disqualification cases against national and local candidates who will distribute assistance (ayuda) without securing proper exemption from the poll body.

“Kapag gumamit kayo ng ayuda o namigay ng ayuda na walang exemption sa Comelec, either ‘yan ay vote-buying o abuse state of resources. Immediately i-disqualify natin, wala nang ifs and buts,” Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia told reporters Thursday.

(National and local candidates who will distribute ayuda without proper exemptions will be immediately disqualified, no buts and what ifs.)

“May due process, yes, pero wala na tayong pinag-iisipan sa bagay na yan tutal ang Supreme Court ang nag-affirm ng kapangyarihan ng Comelec,” said Garcia.

(There will be due process but the SC affirmed our powers to do that.)

The campaign period for local bets is set to begin on Friday, March 28 until May 10. Meanwhile, the national campaign period started on February 11 to May 10, 2025.

Campaigning will be prohibited on April 17 (Maundy Thursday), April 18 (Good Friday), May 11 (eve of Election Day), and  May 12 (Election Day).

Last week, the poll body issued certificates of exemption to some social welfare programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) from the election spending ban for Eleksyon 2025, including P12 billion worth of Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) funding. This is on top of the P882 million the DSWD first requested in January.

Garcia reminded politicians and candidates of the DSWD guidelines for the implementation of AKAP, which includes prohibiting their presence and associated materials during the distribution of financial assistance.

“‘Wag natin i-compromise ang nararapat sa mga kababayan natin na tulong. Unfair naman sa kanila na dahil sa inyong kasalanan, di sila mabibigyan ng tulong…Walang politiko o kandidato during the distribution ng ayuda at sana ang mga social workers natin, wag masa-sacrifice ang pagtingin natin sa kanila bilang professional na social workers,” the poll chief added.

(We should not compromise the assistance that the public needs. It will be unfair that they will not be able to receive aid because of the candidates’ wrongdoings. No politicians and candidates will be allowed during the distribution of AKAP.)

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.

The Comelec likewise announced it will ban the distribution of all forms of cash assistance (ayuda) 10 days ahead of the May elections, including the controversial AKAP. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News

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