ILOILO City – As the campaign period for senator and party-list officially begins today for the May 12 national and local elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) warns national government agencies, local government units (LGUs), and government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) against the release, disbursement, or expenditure of public funds for social services and housing-related projects.
The fund restriction during this election period is primarily designed to avoid any undue influence on voters or the manipulation of public resources in favor of a candidate or political group during the campaign.
Atty. Reinier Layson, provincial election supervisor for Iloilo, emphasized the importance of adhering to Comelec Resolution No. 11060, which governs these restrictions.
“Please be informed of the prohibition against the release, disbursement, or expenditure of public funds for social services and housing-related projects, and the issuance of treasury warrants and similar devices, pursuant to Comelec Resolution No. 11060 and Resolution No. 11078,” Layson stated in a letter to concerned government agencies.
The fund restrictions outlined under Section 261 (V) and (W) of the Omnibus Election Code, and detailed in Comelec Resolution No. 11060, include the following:
* Social Welfare and Services Projects – The release, disbursement, or expenditure of public funds for social welfare and services projects is prohibited from March 28 to May 11, 2025, unless explicitly authorized by Comelec.
* Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) – The distribution of AICS is prohibited from May 2 to May 12, 2025, except for essential services such as food, transportation, medical, educational, and burial assistance.
* Housing-related Projects – The release, disbursement, or expenditure of funds for housing projects is prohibited from March 28 to May 11, 2025, unless exempted by Comelec.
* Treasury Warrants and Similar Devices – The issuance or use of treasury warrants or similar devices, which involve future delivery of money or goods chargeable to public funds, is prohibited from March 28 to May 11, 2025.
Government agencies, LGUs, and GOCCs wishing to request an exemption must submit a formal request to the Comelec Law Department on or before the specified dates, using the prescribed form available for download at www.comelec.gov.ph.
However, Layson clarified that the release of public funds for disaster relief and emergency response does not require an exemption, although it must be reported to the Comelec immediately.
Salaries and routine operational expenses (MOOE) are not covered by these prohibitions. Layson also reminded all concerned parties to ensure that submitted forms comply with the proper formats to meet documentary requirements.
Violations of these regulations will be treated as an election offense, punishable by imprisonment for no less than one year but not more than six years, along with other penalties as stipulated by law.
According to Comelec, the reasoning behind these prohibitions is to:
* Prevent Electioneering and Vote Buying – The use of government funds for social services, housing projects, or other public initiatives during the campaign period could be perceived as attempts to buy votes or influence public opinion. The fear is that politicians or officials might use government resources to gain support or sway the electorate by making promises or providing benefits.
* Ensure Equal Opportunity – These prohibitions are meant to create a level playing field for all candidates. Allowing the disbursement of public funds for certain projects could give an unfair advantage to incumbents or those in power, who may use government resources to promote their own image and policies right before the elections.
* Avoid Public Funds Being Used for Campaign Propaganda – Government programs, especially those related to social services and housing, can easily be politicized during the election period. The regulations are in place to ensure that public funds are not diverted for partisan purposes and are not used to increase a candidate’s popularity through government largesse.
The overarching goal is to protect the integrity of the election process. By enforcing these restrictions, Comelec aims to ensure that public funds are used for their intended purposes and not for electoral gain./PN
