Comelec chief wants local poll execs to monitor ‘ayuda’ distribution

MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia on Wednesday said that the poll body is requesting for local poll officers to monitor the distribution of ‘ayuda’ of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Garcia said that this is to ensure that the distribution of aid is done with good intentions.

“Ang aming request, sana, hindi po ito para kasama sa exemption o kondisyon. Sana kapag nagdidistribute sa ating bayan, kasama ang social worker, sana mag invite ng local Comelec o representative ng local Comelec upang magmasid, mag-observe at present during the distribution,” Garcia said in an ambush interview.

(Our request, this is not included in the exemption or condition. We hope that during the distribution with the social workers, we hope that local Comelec [officers] or representative of local Comelec can monitor, observe, and be present during the distribution.)

READ: Comelec maintains bans on candidates during DSWD cash aid distributions

“At least lang, kahit paano, kung andun kami, makikita namin kung tumutupad sa aming nilagay na kondisyon sa pagpapatupad at pagdidistribute ng ayuda,” Garcia added.

(At least, if we are there, we can see if they abide by the conditions in distributing aid.)

READ: Comelec: 28 DSWD programs exempted from poll spending ban

Garcia reminded national and local government agencies that distribution of any aid or social services, including DSWD’s AICS (Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations) and AKAP (Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program), are prohibited 10 days before the May 12, 2025 elections.

He also warned candidates to not abuse the state resources for their political gain. The poll body bans candidates from attending cash distributions of DSWD during the 45-day period before the elections.

“Sana may pagtitimpi sa 45 araw na yan sapagkat ang purpose natin ay huwag magkaroon ng abuse of state resources. Yun po yung pinaglalaban ng committee ni Commissioner Maceda na hindi dapat nagagamit ang pondo ng sambayanan, pondo ng pamahalaan para lang sa pagpopromote ng kandidatura ng iilan dahil hindi naman po nila pondo yan, hindi naman po nila pera yan,” Garcia noted.

(We hope that the candidates will have control during the 45 days because our purpose is to not abuse state resources. That’s what the committee of Commissioner Maceda is fighting for, for the public and government funds to not be used to promote a certain candidacy because it is not their money.)

The Comelec recently granted the request of the DSWD to exempt its 28 programs from the 2025 elections’ spending ban. Among these programs are the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, AICS, and AKAP.

However, the poll body noted that the DSWD must comply with the following conditions upon the exemption:

• no candidates or politicians must be present during the distribution of ayuda in whatever nature or form
• furnish the Comelec of the guidelines committed by the DSWD in its public announcement
• faithful observance of these guidelines by the DSWD and its personnel and partners.