Comelec exempts TUPAD, 4 other DOLE programs from election ban

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has granted the request of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to exempt its programs from the ban on the implementation of projects ahead of the 2023 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE).

Comelec Chairman George Garcia approved the recommendation of the poll body’s Law Department to exempt the following programs as requested by Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma:

• Special program for Employment of Students which has 34,496 beneficiaries
• Government Internship Program which has 30,745 beneficiaries
• JobStart Philippines Program with 647 beneficiaries
• DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program or KABUHAYAN Program with 48,461 beneficiaries
• Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers Program (TUPAD) with 1,059,135 beneficiaries.

In his request, the Comelec Law Department said Laguesma cited the absolute necessity to continuously implement the programs even during the period of election ban as these have long been established and are continuing in nature.

Further, the Comelec Law Department said the DOLE chief asserted the utmost urgency to disburse public funds to the target beneficiaries and that there are control measures in place to ensure that the programs are properly implemented according to the prescribed guidelines and ensure that the funds to be disbursed will not be used to engage in partisan political activities for the 2023 BSKE.

In recommending the approval of DOLE’s request, the Comelec Law Department said the programs shall not in any manner influence the conduct of the 2023 BSKE and the request shall not involve any distribution of Assistance to Individual in Crisis Situation from October 20 to October 30, except those which are normally given to qualified individuals such as but not limited to basic needs in the form of food, transportation, medical, educational, burial, and other similar assistance.

The issuance of exemption of programs shall not also prevent the conduct of preliminary investigation in cases where the prohibited acts occur.

The DOLE also requested for the exemption from the prohibition against appointment or hiring of employees as the programs sought to be exempted entail the hiring of young workers, youth beneficiaries, students and qualified poor, vulnerable and marginalized individuals.

The Comelec Law Department recommended its approval provided that the hiring is essential to the proper functioning of the office and shall not in any manner influence the conduct of the 2023 BSKE.

It added that it shall not involve promoting or giving of any increase of salary or remuneration or privilege during the 45-day period before the 2023 BSKE which is strictly prohibited without any exception, and that the authorization shall be prospective in application and without prejudice to the applicable Civil Service law, rules and regulations on personnel actions or movements.—AOL, GMA Integrated News