DSWD bans politicians, political materials during ‘Akap’ distribution

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is prohibiting politicians and any political materials during the distribution of Akap (Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program) held any time before the May 12 elections.

According to the joint memorandum of the DSWD, Department of Labor and Employment, and National Economic and Development Authority, the DSWD must ensure that its funds and personnel will not be used or exploited for any personal or political gain.

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

“During the offsite implementation of the program, the DSWD will strictly prohibit 1) the display of distribution of posters, banners, or any materials that link any politicians to Akap, as well as 2) the presence of any politicians during the conduct of actual distribution of financial assistance under the Akap,” the memorandum read.

The Akap provides financial assistance for individuals who are affected by the rising inflation and for those with an income below the applicable minimum wage range.

The Comelec recently granted the request of the DSWD to exempt its 28 programs, including Akap, from the 2025 elections’ spending ban. The Omnibus Election Code prohibits the distribution of social services or cash assistance 45 days before a regular election.

However, the poll body earlier said that distribution of AICS (Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations), Akap (Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program), and other programs is prohibited 10 days before the May 12, 2025, elections.

Further, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said that the Comelec Law Department is now reviewing the implementing guidelines of Akap. The guidelines, sent to the poll body on Tuesday, were shared with the media on Wednesday.

“Kaagad, ’yung law department ngayon ay pinag-aaralan bago i-recommend sa atin ’yung tamang course of action. Inaalam nating mabuti kung ’yung mga benepisyaryo ay mapipili nang tama and at the same time, ’yan bang mga ayuda lalo na yung Akap ay madi-distribute base sa hindi pag take advantage ng mga pulitiko o kandidato,” Garcia told reporters in an interview.

(The law department is reviewing the guidelines before they recommend the proper course of action. We are determining if the beneficiaries will be chosen properly, and at the same time, we are ensuring if the aid, especially Akap, will not be distributed for candidates or politicians to use for their personal gain.)

Garcia also said that the guidelines will be used for the first request on the exemption of the P882 million worth of funding from the poll spending ban.

Meanwhile, he noted that the poll body has yet to study the second request of the DSWD to exempt P12 billion in AKAP funds from the spending ban.