“THAT IS abuse of state resources. The money is not theirs. That is not from a private fund, yet they will make it appear that they are the reason why there is distribution.”
Commission on Elections chairman George Garcia minced no words in decrying politicians taking the center stage in every aid distribution to the public, notably the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) and the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (Tupad) of the Department of Labor and Employment.
Under the Omnibus Election Code, the release, disbursement or expenditure of public funds is prohibited 45 days before a regular election, unless authorized by the Comelec.
“These programs do not belong to politicians, why, are they choosing the beneficiaries?” Garcia furthered. “DSWD’s guidelines should be followed here and not any politician’s guidelines.”
The poll body chief reminded politicians and/or candidates are strictly prohibited from attending any form of aid distribution, including having streamers or posters of the candidates in the payout sites.
“When we say presence during distribution, that means no indication of politics, that it will not be used for politics. That is clear, not just physical presence,” Garcia explained, urging the public to report violations.
“That is a disqualification case under Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code,” he said.
Implementing bodies, he warned, may lose their exemption if they fail to strictly follow the conditions set by the Comelec, their officials and even employees may also face administrative sanctions.
At the rate things are going on the ground, there may not be any incumbent left standing for election this May if the Comelec makes true to its chairman’s words.
Shame.
