BAGUIO CITY – The chief of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) here has advised the local office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development against letting politicians join aid distribution activities in this year’s midterm election season.
Comelec-Baguio officer Atty. John Paul Martin said tarpaulins of politicians must not also be allowed to be displayed at the government support distribution venues.
“Political campaigning is not yet allowed, although there are already acts that actually constitute campaigning. It must stressed that it is the government that gives assistance t the needy, not the politicians, thus there no need for them to be there,” he said.
Meanwhile, the DSWD-Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD-CAR) said it will continue to implement aid distribution programs after the agency obtained an exemption from the Comelec.
“The DSWD-CAR will continue the implementation of its promotive and protective programs and services in CAR during the election ban for the May 2025 mid-term elections. This comes after the receipt of the approved exemption from the Commission on Elections allowing the Department to provide assistance to its clients given that it will not in any way influence the conduct of the election on May 12 2025,” Maria Aplaten, DSWD-CAR director, said in a press release.
The DSWD programs include the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), Supplemental Feeding Program, PAMANA, Pag-Abot Program, Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPHAP), social pension, assistance to individuals in crisis situation (AICS) and Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP). xxxx