Comelec launches drive vs poll bets' use of 4Ps delisting threat to get votes

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has signed a joint circular with two government agencies to prevent the funds for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program (4Ps) from being politicized during the upcoming village polls, following reports that some election bets are forcing beneficiaries to vote for them.

The Comelec met with the Department of Social Work and Development and the Department of Interior and Local Government on Tuesday to launch their "Bawal ang Epal Dito" campaign against the 4Ps program's being made part of poll bets' campaigns.

Commissioner Al Parreño tweeted that "there are reports that some electoral candidates are coercing families included in 4Ps to vote for them."

The 4Ps is the administration's flagship poverty-alleviation program, giving cash dole-outs to families who comply with certain human development measures such as education and health.

"Electoral candidates can't delist families from the 4Ps. Families should not be threatened to vote for them," Parreño noted.

According to the joint circular, the parties are tasked "to ensure that the implementation of 4Ps during elections and campaign period is free of political influence and manipulation while safeguarding the rights of Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries for free and honest elections."

The Comelec is tasked to "conduct fact-finding investigation or preliminary investigation as the case may be... and prosecute the same."

Both the Comelec and the DILG are mandated to come up with a procedure to address complaints, especially cases that fall under election offenses. — BM, GMA News