The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc approved Wednesday (April 6) the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s (LTFRB) election spending ban exemption request for its fuel subsidy distribution.
The poll body is expected to issue a resolution on the matter on Friday (April 8), but some public transportation driver beneficiaries may experience payout delays as the LTFRB has yet to submit a list of beneficiaries.
“The grant to the petition of LTFRB is subject to the strict implementation of the program by submission of information on how the project will be implemented, the parameters of implementation, and specially the specific target beneficiaries on how they will apply to avail of the grant…,” Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said.
The official said it is also subject to the submission of concerned agencies of their specific beneficiaries and the implementation details of the project.
“We should be able to monitor how the department will implement ‘yung ating fuel subsidy. We wanted to be sure the money is well spent,” he said.
Poll activities
Overseas voting has been suspended in some areas affected by tensions in Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, and Ukraine on April 10. Elections in Shanghai were also suspended due to a lockdown.
Comelec Commissioner Marlon Casquejo assured that postal ballots will be provided before April 10.
For local elections, the Comelec confirmed that it has received a complaint against vote buying which will be investigated by Task Force Kontra Bigay.
Meanwhile, a separate task force was formed by the Comelec to fight false information on the electoral process. – Report from Karen Villanda/AG-gb
