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24 hours to election campaign period, gun ban
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Comelec to monitor ayuda payouts
By J.Lo
“Yes, we will do so,” Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian told media, referring to Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia’s proposal for Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to invite Comelec representatives to observe aid distribution activities.
To prevent or discourage politicians and candidates from attending aid distribution activities in violation of election rules, representatives from Commission on Elections (Comelec) would be allowed to witness such events and take action against violators.
Gatchalian said such arrangement with Comelec was proposed by Garcia, who argued it could be effective in keeping politicians and candidates in May polls at bay during payouts of ayuda or assistance.
Gatchalian reiterated that mechanisms are already in place to insulate DSWD programs and services from politicking.
He also said DSWD personnel are under instructions to “adhere to rules set forth by department and by the Comelec.”
He made this assurance in response to Garcia’s reminder that DSWD personnel may face administrative changes if they are found complicit with politicians in violating election rules.
Comelec approved DSWD request to exempt 28 programs and services from election spending ban.
Programs are controversial Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Sustainable Livelihood Program, Services for Residential and Center-based Clients, Supplementary Feeding Program, Pag-abot Program, Walang Gutom Program, Tara Basa! Program and Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.
Gatchalian also underscored DSWD, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) are finalizing joint guidelines for conditional implementation of AKAP.
Gatchalian earlier met with Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma and NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan to fine-tune AKAP guidelines.
According to DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao, measures are being implemented to ensure agency’s adherence to “conditionalities” set by Comelec when latter issued exemption.
“We would like to take this opportunity to mention and reassure our people all necessary safeguards are being instituted by DSWD to really protect programs and services of the agency from any form of political interference,” she said.
Three conditions set by Comelec are: “no candidate,politicians during distribution of ‘ayuda’ in whatever nature or form; DSWD must furnish guidelines as committed by agency in its public procurements, and faithful observance of these guidelines by DSWD and its personnel and partners.”
Dumlao added that one of DSWD’s safety nets against politicking is to educate public on agency’s programs and services.
“One of the information that we share is that we explain that assistance comes from government and politicians or candidates running in elections have nothing to do with it,” she maintained.
For militants like former Bayan Muna party-list congressman Teddy Casiño, AKAP needs to be suspended throughout campaign period.
“Although assistance is important to those who are in need of it, it cannot be denied that this program is pork barrel insertion in budget prepared by lawmakers for their own electoral agenda,” Casiño said.
Casiño said spending ban on public funds was put in place to equalize playing field for all candidates and shield government funds from partisan politics.
“In the first place, supposed new guidelines on AKAP’s implementation remain unclear… in 2023 ayuda was used for people’s initiative Charter change…in 2024, AKAP was distributed to constituents of senators and congressmen,” he said.
He scoffed at Malacañang’s and DSWD’s claim they would require additional vetting procedures to prevent AKAP from being misused by politicians.
“But we know AKAP is already allocated by congressional district and senator…legislators will still tell DSWD to download funds to their preferred LGUs or government agencies that will draw up list of beneficiaries in coordination with their offices, and upon payout day, nobody can stop politicians from making sure everyone is reminded who to thank for dole out, we cannot allow public funds to become extended campaign kitty of select few, knowing patronage politics remains entrenched in the country, ” former lawmaker said.
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Philippine National Police (PNP) has started mapping out strategies to thwart vote buying in midterm elections, including tracking down sources of funds.
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said their Anti-Cybercrime Group is keeping its eye on use of GCash and other digital platforms by entities or individuals resorting to vote buying.
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