In Manila, a number of national and local government offices have been granted exemptions from the upcoming election ban by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), allowing them to continue their operations. As of the latest update, six national agencies and three local entities have received these exemptions. The national agencies include the Department of Health, National Housing Authority, Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Commission on Higher Education, and Department of Labor and Employment. On the local level, exemptions were given to the Municipal Social Welfare Development Office in Bohol, the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, and the Bacoor City Government. The election ban, which prohibits the use of public funds 45 days before a regular election, will be enforced from March 28 to May 11 for the upcoming midterm elections. Comelec Chairman George Garcia has urged the public to report any instances of abuse of state resources (ASR) related to the May 2025 elections, emphasizing the commission’s readiness to act on such reports. Garcia also highlighted the potential consequences for public officials, including disqualification from running in the elections, should they misuse their positions for electoral gain. He stressed the importance of preventing the misuse of public funds for political advantage, describing it as unfair. The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (Lente) defines ASR as a type of political corruption where candidates or parties exploit government resources for electoral benefits. This can involve the misuse of government vehicles, facilities, and the distribution of services like medical and financial aid, as well as the presence of candidates at government projects. In a recent case, Aurora Vice Governor Gerardo Noveras was disqualified from the May 2022 elections for using government resources to print campaign materials.
Exemptions Granted to Government Agencies Amid Election Ban
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