Which forms of ‘ayuda’ are allowed, banned during the 2025 elections?

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The Comelec sets total prohibition for certain social aid programs from 10 days before election day

In a bid to fight vote-buying in the upcoming midterm elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has released a number of resolutions seeking to restrict social aid or “ayuda” during certain parts of the campaign period.

Starting 45 days from the election, or from March 28, social aid programs will be prohibited, but the Comelec will allow exempted programs.

Then, 10 days before the election or on May 2, the restriction becomes tighter. Any ayuda, together with four major social aid programs, will be “totally prohibited,” with an exemption for those “normally given” to qualified individuals.

Here’s a rundown of the restricted periods, and which forms of ayuda are allowed and banned in each:

March 28 to May 11: Prohibition with exempted programs

According to Resolution No. 11060, from March 28 to May 11, the release, disbursement, or expenditure of public funds for social welfare and services projects is prohibited, except if authorized by the Comelec.

Social welfare and services projects are defined as “services rendered by the government to provide aid, support, or assistance to the disadvantaged, distressed, or vulnerable persons or sectors of society.”

Housing-related projects, and treasury warrants and similar devices are also restricted from March 28. The resolution allows for exemptions in housing-related projects, but not for treasury warrants.

Exemptions can be allowed, provided elective officials, candidates, or aspirants are not present during the distribution of aid. Agencies requesting exemptions must also furnish the Comelec with guidelines on how these programs will be implemented.

The Comelec has exempted at least 28 programs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The are as follows, according to the DSWD:

• Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps)
• Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP)
• Services for Residential and Center-based Clients
• Supplementary Feeding Program
• Pag-Abot Program
• Walang Gutom Program
• Tara Basa! Tutoring Program
• Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS)

We have requested from both the DSWD and Comelec the full list of DSWD programs that were granted exemptions, but neither have supplied it. We will update this story when the list is made available.

May 2 to May 12: ‘Total prohibition’

In the original Resolution 11060, only AICS was totally prohibited during the 10-day period, running from May 2 to May 12.

But the Comelec, through resolutions 11104 (promulgated on January 28) and 11113 (promulgated on February 6), expanded the “total prohibition” to include the following: any ayuda, Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), and 4Ps.

Still, the Comelec’s latest resolution says the “total prohibition” does not apply to the distribution of assistance “which are normally given to qualified individuals such as but not limited to basic needs in the form of food, transportation, medical, education, burial, and other similar assistance.”

Ayuda, TUPAD, AKAP, AICs, or 4Ps that are distributed during the 10-day period by candidates who are incumbent officials, members of their families within the second civil degree of affinity or consanguinity, or their “known supporters or employees,” will be presumed to be vote-buying, vote-selling, or abusing state resources, according to Resolution No. 11104. – Rappler.com