PORMAL nang ipinagbawal ng Commission on Elections (Comelec) ang distribusyon ng iba’t ibang uri ng financial aid at assistance o ayuda, 10 araw bago ang halalan.
Sa isang resolusyon, iniutos ng Comelec ang total ban ng pagbibigay ng mga ayuda sa ilalim ng Department of Labor and Employment’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers or TUPAD at mga programa ng Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program or AKAP, Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations or AICS at Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps.
“Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the giving and distribution of ayuda shall be totally prohibited within a period of 10 days before elections and on election day,” ayon sa Comelec.
“Distribution of assistance by candidates, who are incumbent elected officials or their spouses or members of their families within the second civil degree of affinity or consanguinity, or their known supporters or employees during the period of total prohibition shall be presumed as vote-buying and vote-selling, or abuse of state resources as the case may be,” dagdag pa ng poll body.
Tanging medical at burial assistance lamang ang papayagan, dagdag pa nito.
Una nang inihayag ni Comelec Commissioner Ernesto Maceda na palalawigin ang ayuda ban dahil sa mga ulat na maraming politiko ang ginagamit ito para sa kanilang pangangampanya.