Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia issued a stern warning on Wednesday, July 15, to candidates of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) against leveraging government resources to advance their campaigns.
Speaking at a press conference in Bais City, Negros Oriental, Garcia said that while the implementation of public programs and the distribution of financial assistance are not entirely prohibited, local government units must first secure a formal Comelec exemption.
He also underscored the need to monitor who is utilizing state resources, noting that some politicians improperly treat public funds as their own personal assets for political leverage.
To prevent accusations of voter influence, Garcia strongly advised incumbent officials seeking reelection to stay away from all public aid distributions.
While essential services like peace, order, and basic barangay functions will continue uninterrupted, major financial assistance programs —including the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP)— require explicit clearance and must never be distributed in the presence of any candidate.
“We need to know who is using government resources to promote the candidacy of an individual,” Garcia warned, adding that even a single photograph of a candidate at an aid payout site could serve as evidence in a disqualification case.
Further, Garcia said an absolute ban on most government financial assistance programs will take effect starting 10 days before the BSKE, with exemptions granted only for urgent burial and emergency medical assistance.
Garcia, alongside four Comelec commissioners, visited Negros Oriental to lead a voter education campaign at the Negros Oriental State University Campus 1 in Bais City.*PNA
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