Politicians told to stay out of AKAP, other government aid distributions

January 23, 2025 , 08:45 PM

By Gabriel Kim Leal

(January 23, 2025) – The government on Thursday called on politicians to stay away from financial assistance distributions ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.

The Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) specifically mentioned the Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which provides cash assistance to families earning below the poverty threshold and are not receiving financial aid from other government programs.

“’Wag na padaanin sa politiko. Kung galing ‘yan sa DSWD, sila na ang magbigay, ‘wag na tayo (politiko) makialam. Kasi ‘pag pinadaan mo sa politiko, ang gusto lang ay magpa-picture, katabi lang silang nagbibigay ng ayuda. Hindi naman ‘yon galing sa kanila, kundi sa national government,” said PCUP chairperson Meynard Sabili in a media briefing.

AKAP, the pet project of House Speaker Martin Romualdez, became controversial after receiving a budget of P26.7 billion this year, while other key government agencies faced cuts. Romualdez is a cousin of Pres. Bongbong Marcos Jr.

Minority lawmakers and political observers, including retired associate justice Antonio Carpio, branded AKAP as a “pork barrel insertion” designed for vote-buying.

The Commission on Elections exempted AKAP from the 45-day ban on the use of public funds, together with 27 other government programs, before the polls in May.

“Pagkatapos ng eleksyon, tumulong kayo. Pero ‘yung kukuha ka ng benificiary tapos sila (politiko) ‘yung magbibigay, tapos sasabihin na ‘Kapag hindi mo ako binoto, tanggal ka sa AKAP,’ ‘yung karapatan ng mahihirap ay nasu-suppress,” said Sabili.

As a policy, the DSWD does not allow politicians to have an active role in the distribution of government aid. But it maintained that referrals from legislators and local executives are always entertained, pursuant to its guidelines.

“Ang akala nila ‘yung mayor at governor o kung sino ang mataas ang posisyon ang nagdi-dictate kung sino ‘yung tatanggap (ng ayuda), but it should be the DSWD,” added Sabili.

(PM)

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