Comelec exempts AKAP, 27 programs from election spending ban

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections has allowed the government to continue implementing the Ayuda Sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) and 27 other welfare programs during this year's midterm election period as long as no candidate is present in the payout. 

In a memorandum issued Wednesday, January 8, the poll body granted the request of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian to exempt these programs from the 45-day spending ban for the national and local elections in May.  

One of three conditions that the DSWD must comply with is for there to be "no candidate/politician during the distribution of ayuda (aid) in whatever nature or form," the Comelec wrote in the memorandum.

The two other conditions are for the DSWD to draft and strictly enforce guidelines to implement the projects. 

The country's election code prohibits agencies from releasing funds within 45 days of election day as a safeguard against the use of state resources for candidates' campaigns. But Comelec Resolution 11060 allows "social welfare and services projects and housing-related projects" to operate during the spending ban as long as agencies obtain a certificate of exemption from the poll body.

This year's spending ban is set for March 28 to May 11, 2025. 

The exemption covers P882.97 million for AKAP, which the DSWD describes as a "timely initiative" to assist near-poor Filipinos earning minimum wage who face economic difficulties.

Another major program exempted is the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), with an allocation of P38.4 billion. The program provides conditional cash transfers to poor households to improve their health, nutrition, and education. Others include the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation, Stamp Program/Walang Gutom Program and the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens.

The memorandum said the exemption is "prospective in application" and must not influence the conduct of the national and local elections and the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections. The DSWD is also required to submit periodic written reports of disbursements to the regional election director concerned.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia on Wednesday vowed to enforce the conditions and pursue legal action against violators. 

"We are always free to file cases against anyone, especially candidates, who will be present or there during the distribution for possible disqualification and election offense cases," Garcia said in an interview at ANC's Headstart.

The complete list of 28 exempted programs is as follows:

• Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) - P38 billion
• Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) - P511.4 million
• Services for Residential and Center-based Clients - P33.45 million
• Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) - P96.93 million
• Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens - P401.6 million
• Implementation of RA No. 10868 or Centenarians Act of 2016 - P15.17 million
• Protective Services for Individuals & Families in Especially Difficult Circumstances (COMBASED) - P29.4 million
• Protective Services for Individuals & Families in Especially Difficult Circumstances (PROPER) - P2.08 million
• Services to Displaced Persons (Deportees) - P4 million
• Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons - P628,200
• Assistance to Persons with Disability & Senior Citizens - P380,580
• National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction - P1.51 million
• KALAHI-CIDSS-KKB - P257.79 million
• Philippines Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Project (PMNP) - P44.35 million
• Bangsamoro Umpungan sa Nutrisyon (BangUn) - P123.26 million
• PAMANA Peace & Development - P47.3 million
• PAMANA DSWD/LGU Led Livelihood - P534.29 million
• Pag-Abot Program - P500.37 million
• Philippine Food Stamp Program/Walang Gutom Program (WGP) - P7.25 billion
• Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) - P882.97 million
• KALAHI-CIDSS-NCDDP Additional Financing - P564,633
• Beneficiary First Project (BFIRST) - P238.70 million
• Trust Receipt - P395.65 million
• Tara Basa! Tutoring Program - P1.08 billion
• Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty - P4.64 million
• Social Technology Development and Enhancement - P32.50 million
• Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) - P7.58 billion
• Financial assistance routinely given to qualified individuals - P3.07 billion

— Cristina Chi