Bawal ang Politiko sa Ayuda! Comelec Cracks Down on Vote-Buying with Shocking New Rule

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In the lead-up to the May 2025 midterm elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has intensified its efforts to prevent the misuse of government assistance programs for electoral advantage. A recent resolution by the Comelec presumes that politicians participating in the distribution of the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) are engaging in vote-buying, vote-selling, or abusing state resources.

AKAP and Its Election Period Exemption

AKAP is a social protection initiative by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) designed to provide financial assistance to near-poor Filipinos earning minimum wage who face economic difficulties. Recognizing the importance of continuing such welfare programs during the election period, the DSWD sought exemptions from the election spending ban, which prohibits agencies from releasing funds within 45 days of election day to prevent the use of state resources for campaign purposes. On January 8, 2025, the Comelec granted this exemption for AKAP and 27 other programs, with strict conditions to ensure their non-partisan implementation. 

Strict Prohibitions to Prevent Political Exploitation

To uphold the integrity of these programs, the DSWD issued guidelines explicitly banning politicians and their campaign materials from AKAP distribution events. The guidelines state: "During the offsite implementation of the program, the DSWD will strictly prohibit: the display or distribution of posters, banners, or any materials that link any politicians to the AKAP as well as the presence of any politicians during the conduct of actual distribution of financial assistance under the AKAP." 

Comelec's Stance on Vote-Buying and Vote-Selling

The Comelec has reinforced its commitment to combating electoral offenses through Resolution 11104, which defines vote-buying and vote-selling as the act of giving, offering, or promising anything of value in exchange for a vote. This encompasses not only cash transactions but also the offering of goods, services, or favors. Notably, the resolution presumes certain actions as vote-buying, including:

Distributing groceries or other aid that contain sample ballots or campaign materials.

Holding medical missions, feeding programs, legal aid services, or caravans in areas where a candidate's name, image, or campaign materials are displayed.

Providing discount cards or other goods during house-to-house election campaigning.

Violators of these provisions face severe penalties, including imprisonment of one to six years without probation, disqualification from holding public office, and fines of at least P10,000 for political parties involved. 

Enforcement and Monitoring Mechanisms

To ensure compliance, the Comelec has established the Committee on Kontra Bigay, comprising representatives from various government agencies, including the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). This committee is tasked with monitoring and enforcing laws against vote-buying, vote-selling, and the misuse of state resources during the elections. Regional, provincial, and city-level Kontra Bigay committees will also be formed to conduct localized surveillance and reporting of election offenses. 

Public Reporting and Legal Actions

The Comelec encourages citizens to report any instances of vote-buying or selling. Complaints can be filed by the Comelec, any citizen, political party, or accredited citizens' arm of the poll body. To facilitate reporting, the Comelec will establish a Kontra Bigay Complaint Center (KBCC), where individuals who personally witnessed or have knowledge of vote-buying and selling can submit reports. Reports may be sent via email to [email protected] or through Comelec’s official Facebook page. There will also be a monitoring portal for the case build-up of the Kontra Bigay committee to track the reported complaints. 

Conclusion

The measures implemented by the Comelec and DSWD underscore a concerted effort to maintain the integrity of the electoral process by preventing the misuse of government assistance programs for political gain. By enforcing strict guidelines and encouraging public vigilance, these agencies aim to ensure that social welfare initiatives like AKAP serve their intended purpose without being exploited for electoral advantage.

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