The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has expressed support for a proposed law that would prohibit politicians from distributing government aid during the election period, saying it would strengthen efforts against vote-buying and the abuse of state resources (ASR).
COMELEC Chairman George Erwin Garcia said the measure would reinforce existing restrictions on assistance programs during polls.
“That is a big help to the efforts of the COMELEC, since we have a Committee on Kontra Bigay,” Garcia said.
“We really prohibit the giving of AICS [Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation], MAIFIP [Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients], AKAP [Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program], and other forms assistance except burial assistance during the elections. This would be very important to us in the fight against the abuse of state resources,” he added.
ASR refers to the misuse of government resources—whether material, human, budgetary, or regulatory—for electoral advantage.
Senator Erwin Tulfo earlier filed Senate Bill No. 1445, an “anti-epal” measure banning politicians from participating in the distribution of government aid.
Under the Omnibus Election Code, vote-buying and vote-selling—defined as giving, offering, or promising money or anything of value to influence voting—are considered election offenses.
The proposed law, COMELEC said, would provide stronger safeguards to ensure fairness and integrity in future elections.