Inquirer file photo
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections has granted the request of the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) to exempt some of its programs from the spending ban due to next year’s midterm elections.
In a resolution released on Monday, Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia approved the recommendation of the law department to exempt nine Dole programs worth nearly P20 billion from Section 261(v)(2) of the Omnibus Election Code.
Under Comelec Resolution No. 11060, public officials and employees are prohibited from releasing, disbursing or spending any public funds for social services and housing-related projects 45 days before Election Day—or from March 28 to May 11 next year—unless granted an exemption by the poll body.
READ: Comelec exempts 48 projects from election ban
Not covered
The exemption covers the Special Program for Employment of Students (P828.94 million), Government Internship Program (P807.716 million), JobStart Philippines Program (P155.270 million), Adjustment Measures Program (P218.722 million), Workers Organization Development Program (P35.874 million), Dole Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program composed of two components: Dole Integrated Livelihood (Kabuhayan) Program (P2.243 billion) and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (Tupad) Program (P14.122 billion), Financial Assistance Program to Distressed Migratory Sugarcane Workers (P1.96 million), Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (P85.262 million) and EnTSUPERneur Program (P100 million).
The Comelec, however, ordered the Dole not to be involved in the distribution of Assistance to Individual in Crisis Situation from May 2 to May 12, except those normally given to qualified individuals, including basic needs in the form of food, transportation, medical, educational, burial and other similar assistance.
The poll body earlier exempted 48 infrastructure projects from the spending ban ahead of the May 12, 2025, national and local elections, and Bangsamoro parliamentary elections.