Comelec wants ban on AKAP, all forms of ayuda 10 days before May elections | ABS-CBN
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Comelec wants ban on AKAP, all forms of ayuda 10 days before May elections
Comelec wants ban on AKAP, all forms of ayuda 10 days before May elections
A long line of people stretching from Chuatoco Street to Roces Avenue is seen outside the Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City, Friday, September 20, 2024 as people from indigent families from District 4, Bgy. Tatalon and Roxas District in Quezon City queue for financial assistance. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File
A long line of people stretching from Chuatoco Street to Roces Avenue is seen outside the Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City, Friday, September 20, 2024 as people from indigent families from District 4, Bgy. Tatalon and Roxas District in Quezon City queue for financial assistance. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA — Commission on Elections Chairman George Erwin Garcia told the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development that the poll body is eyeing a prohibition on all forms of ayuda or financial assistance 10 days before the May 12, 2025 elections.
MANILA — Commission on Elections Chairman George Erwin Garcia told the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development that the poll body is eyeing a prohibition on all forms of ayuda or financial assistance 10 days before the May 12, 2025 elections.
"We are now contemplating of including even AKAP sa absolute prohibition sa 10 days before the election and such other ayuda program so that it will not be used for purposes of abuse of state resources," Garcia explained.
"We are now contemplating of including even AKAP sa absolute prohibition sa 10 days before the election and such other ayuda program so that it will not be used for purposes of abuse of state resources," Garcia explained.
Garcia told the Senate Committee that the poll body has yet to receive any guidelines for AKAP distribution. Garcia explained that the poll body gave an initial exemption for P882 million but its implementation was subject to conditions.
Garcia told the Senate Committee that the poll body has yet to receive any guidelines for AKAP distribution. Garcia explained that the poll body gave an initial exemption for P882 million but its implementation was subject to conditions.
Meanwhile, it has yet to act on the second request for over P12.6 billion.
Meanwhile, it has yet to act on the second request for over P12.6 billion.
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Garcia added that the President's decision to put AKAP on conditional implementation also influenced their decision.
Garcia added that the President's decision to put AKAP on conditional implementation also influenced their decision.
"I'm fully aware, Madam Chair, that's the reason why the grant of the exemption was likewise conditional in the sense that there were several conditions enumerated in the grant of the exemption. So since the time that I received the second letter, which was January 16th, the yours
truly have not acted on that request for exemption because I have been waiting for the guidelines to be issued by the DSWD," Garcia said.
"I'm fully aware, Madam Chair, that's the reason why the grant of the exemption was likewise conditional in the sense that there were several conditions enumerated in the grant of the exemption. So since the time that I received the second letter, which was January 16th, the yours truly have not acted on that request for exemption because I have been waiting for the guidelines to be issued by the DSWD," Garcia said.
"Sa atin pong Omnibus Election Code, ang prohibition sa public works including ang social services 45 days before the election so dun pa lang po actually yun ang gray area sapagkat magsisimula na po yung national campaign and yet the prohibition will be in effect pa by 45 days before the election."
"Sa atin pong Omnibus Election Code, ang prohibition sa public works including ang social services 45 days before the election so dun pa lang po actually yun ang gray area sapagkat magsisimula na po yung national campaign and yet the prohibition will be in effect pa by 45 days before the election."
Garcia spelled out the conditions: That the exemption is prospective in application; that it shall not in any manner influence the conduct of the May 12, 2025 national and local elections and BARMM parliamentary elections; and that it shall not involve any distribution of AICS to individual or AICS from May 2, 2025 to May 12, 2025.
Garcia spelled out the conditions: That the exemption is prospective in application; that it shall not in any manner influence the conduct of the May 12, 2025 national and local elections and BARMM parliamentary elections; and that it shall not involve any distribution of AICS to individual or AICS from May 2, 2025 to May 12, 2025.
"Because at that time, Madam Chair, may resolution po Commission on Elections prior to the request that AICS shall be absolutely prohibited 10 days before the elections. Wala pa po kaming alam kasi sa AKAP kasi bagong programa po yung AKAP," Garcia explained.
"Because at that time, Madam Chair, may resolution po Commission on Elections prior to the request that AICS shall be absolutely prohibited 10 days before the elections. Wala pa po kaming alam kasi sa AKAP kasi bagong programa po yung AKAP," Garcia explained.
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Garcia also said they have not received any guidelines for the distribution of DSWD's other aid programs.
Garcia also said they have not received any guidelines for the distribution of DSWD's other aid programs.
"Wala pong guidelines kami sa kasalukuyan and therefore we are going to review the guidelines to be submitted by DSWD kaya po nakapakagandang opportunity itong hearing so that the Comelec will find whether there is really a guidelines already," Garcia said.
"Wala pong guidelines kami sa kasalukuyan and therefore we are going to review the guidelines to be submitted by DSWD kaya po nakapakagandang opportunity itong hearing so that the Comelec will find whether there is really a guidelines already," Garcia said.
Garcia explained that the poll body's only concern is to make sure that it is not used to secure undue advantage during the elections.
Garcia explained that the poll body's only concern is to make sure that it is not used to secure undue advantage during the elections.
"Kasi po as far as the Comelec is concerned, when it comes to the implementation of certain programs, it is really the executive department that shall determine how and who should benefit, hindi po para pakialaman po ng commission," Garcia said.
"Kasi po as far as the Comelec is concerned, when it comes to the implementation of certain programs, it is really the executive department that shall determine how and who should benefit, hindi po para pakialaman po ng commission," Garcia said.
"Kaya lang we will have to see to it that will not be used for purposes of electioneering or abuse of state resources in order to promote the candidacy of a candidate," he added.
"Kaya lang we will have to see to it that will not be used for purposes of electioneering or abuse of state resources in order to promote the candidacy of a candidate," he added.
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