Comelec exempts more government agencies from spending ban

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has granted the petitions of various government agencies that asked the poll body to exempt their projects and programs from the ban on public spending during the 45-day election period.

Comelec Commissioner George Garcia told reporters in a press conference yesterday that the poll body granted the respective petitions of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).

Garcia said the implementation of all projects and programs of DOLE was allowed “because they are necessary.”

Among the DOLE programs allowed by the Comelec to continue are the implementation of the government internship program, job start program, special program for employment of students, and other DOLE-integrated livelihood programs.

The Comelec said that it also allowed the continued implementation of DOLE’s programs such as the “Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers, COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program and the Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong.

In a five-page resolution, the Comelec said that it granted the petition of PhilRice for the distribution of high-quality inbred rice seeds and information material nationwide; establishment of rice technology demonstration traits and related activities, and the conduct of farmers’ field days and/or field walks.

“After due notice and hearing, the Commission resolves that the program deserves continuity, not to disrupt the supply of rice in the country, and at the same time protect our national food security. The Commission cannot control when farmers are in need to plant these high valued seeds produced from said program,” the Comelec said.

In a separate four-page resolution, the Comelec said that it also granted the petition of Pagcor for exemption of its social services from the election ban on public spending particularly on the distribution of food items worth P12,565,800 and non-food items worth P26,607,300 that it recently procured before the election ban.

“The Commission resolves to grant the petition, subject to compliance with conditions set under Section 14 of Comelec Resolution No. 10747, where the release, disbursement or expenditures of public funds are allowed subject to the conditions,” the Comelec said.

Prior to this, the Comelec has already approved the petition of the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board and the Department of Agriculture for the implementation of its fuel subsidy program amid the election ban.