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Comelec exempts P20 rice project from poll spending ban
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has exempted the Department of Agriculture's (DA) P20-per-kilogram rice program from the election spending ban.
The DA's rice project has a budget of P5 billion and is scheduled to run until 2028.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia approved the exemption, but with conditions.
The exemption is prospective and the DA project should not influence the May 12, 2025 polls.
The program should not involve the distribution of 'ayuda' or similar programs, nor medical and burial assistance from May 2 to May 12, 2025.
Elective officials and candidates are barred from being present during the distribution of 'ayuda', TUPAD, AKAP, AICS, and 4Ps.
The DA and its partners must strictly observe the guidelines from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and other relevant agencies.
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