AKAP to continue despite Eleksyon 2025 —Palace

Malacañang on Monday reaffirmed that the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) would continue despite the upcoming Eleksyon 2025, emphasizing that too many Filipinos rely on the aid for their daily needs.

''Mahirap po kasing ihinto ang pagbibigay ng ayuda sa taumbayan. Umaasa rin po sila diyan," said Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro when asked whether the government would halt AKAP during the election season.

(It would be difficult to stop distributing aid to the public because many depend on it.) 

Castro also acknowledged rising hunger rates despite existing assistance programs. 

"Katulad nga po nito, sabi po sa survey ay diumanong tumataas ang hunger rate kahit marami na po tayong programa ng ayuda. Kaya sabi nga po natin, titingnan natin kung saan nanggagaling ito,'' she added.

(According to surveys, hunger rates are reportedly increasing even though we have several aid programs. That’s why we need to examine where this is coming from.)

''Hindi po ito mapapahinto agad-agad ng administrasyon at mas marami po sigurong mga kababayan natin ang mag-aalma lalo na kung nasanay na po silang kumuha ng ganitong ayuda para po ipantawid sa pang-araw-araw nilang pangangailangan.''

(This administration cannot immediately halt the program, as many of our fellow Filipinos have come to rely on this assistance for their daily survival.)

Meanwhile, several groups have filed a petition before the Supreme Court, seeking a temporary restraining order on AKAP’s implementation under the 2025 national budget.

The petitioners—1Sambayan Coalition, Sanlakas, Advocates for National Interest, and other individuals—argued that AKAP exhibits characteristics of a congressional pork barrel. 

They cited a previous Supreme Court ruling that defines a pork barrel as a “lump-sum discretionary fund” that legislators control.

Implemented in 2024 by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, AKAP provides financial assistance to individuals and families struggling with economic hardship, particularly those affected by job loss, natural disasters, or financial instability. — DVM, GMA Integrated News