The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will prohibit distribution of any form of cash assistance from the government or ayuda, 10 days before May 12,2025 midterm elections.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the “ayuda ban” will be implemented from May 2 to May 12, 2025, which includes

Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), 4Ps, and the controversial Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).

“Hindi na ‘yan exempted… Bawal na itong ipamahagi, maliban na lang sa medical and burial assistance… ‘Yan lang ang exempted sa May 2 to 12,” he explained.

“Kakasuhan ang mga magbibigay o magpapatupad ng mga ayuda from May 2 to 12,” Garcia said.

Under the Omnibus Election Code, violations of the prohibitions constitute election offenses, punishable by imprisonment of not less than one year, but not more than six years, among other penalties provided for by law.

The Comelec has exempted the P20 per kilo Rice Project of the Department of Agriculture (DA) from the 45-day election spending ban ahead of the May 12 polls.

However, the poll body included additional guidelines for the exclusion, including the securing by local government units (LGUs) of separate certificates of exemption if they resell rice products at a lower price.

Other directives include that the distribution and sale of subsidized rice be conducted in public places and that media, civil society, and interest groups be allowed unrestricted access in the venue of the implementation