Comelec exempts 49 projects from election spending ban

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has exempted 49 government infrastructure projects from the spending ban ahead of the 2025 national and local elections.

These projects include railways, hospitals, airports, and other public-private partnership initiatives such as the UP Manila Cancer Center, Metro Rail Transit Line 7, and the NCR EDSA Busway Project.

The certificates issued by Comelec exclude these projects from Section 261 (v) (1) of the Omnibus Election Code but emphasize that this exemption does not waive prosecution for other election offenses.

Projects like the rehabilitation-expansion-operation-maintenance of Iloilo International Airport and the Baguio City Integrated Terminal are among those given exemptions.

The certificate also warns against altering the document, stating that any changes will invalidate it and constitute a criminal offense.