MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has approved the poll spending ban exemption request of the Department of Agriculture (DA) for its P20 per kilogram rice program. 

In a memorandum dated April 24, Comelec said DA Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. requested the exemption of the rice project worth P5 billion from the provision of Section 261 (v) of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC), which prohibits the disbursement of public funds 45 days before the elections or from March 28 to May 12, 2025z

The poll body said the DA should make sure that the presence of any politician or candidate in the selling or distribution of cheaper rice is strictly prohibited.

According to Comelec chairman George Garcia, candidates who will violate this guidelines could face a disqualification or an election offense.

“Walang presensiya ng pulitiko during the distribution…Basic na basic. Hindi kailangang ispilengin yan,” Garcia told reporters.

Garcia also said DA and all LGUs with this kind of program should be transparent to media and civil society groups.

“Gusto lamang po natin linawin, hindi bawal ang pamimigay ng ayuda - hindi po bawal ang pagbibigay ng social services, sapagkat sabi ng batas, puwedeng mamigay ng social services basta’t may exemption mula sa Commission on Elections,”  Garcia explained.

Rice distribution and/or selling should also be conducted in public places and not in private property owned by politicians.

“Gusto naming malaman, saan kukuhanin nung LGU ang pondo, kasi kung wala naman pala silang naka-allocate sa budget nila sa 2025 so saan nila kukuhanin,” Garcia said.