MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is set to decide this week on the appeal of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to allow its fuel subsidy program to continue amid the election public spending ban.
Comelec Commissioner George Erwin Garcia said the poll body is studying the LTFRB’s position paper for the program to be exempted from the election ban on the disbursement of public funds.
He said a recommendation would be submitted to the Comelec en banc on Wednesday and the decision may be announced the next day.
“Huwag po kayong mag-alala lalung-lalo na sa mga kababayan natin na mga driver ng pampublikong sasakyan at iyong umaasa sa fuel subsidy, kaagad po namin iyang aaksyunan, hindi na po natin idi-delay iyan,” Garcia said.
“Pero at the same time, titingnan po natin kung tama ba iyong naging petisyon, tama ba iyong procedure na gagawin ng LTFRB sa pamamahagi nitong mga fuel subsidy at papaano ang implementasyon ng proyekto pong ito,” he added.
Under COMELEC Resolution 10747, the spending ban will take effect during the election period until May 8. A certificate of exemption must be secured from the COMELEC to implement activities and programs on social welfare projects during the ban.
The prohibition aims to insulate government procurement from political partisan activities, usually in the form of new projects, which are designed to influence the public ahead of the elections.
The LTFRB on Monday announced it has temporarily halted the distribution of fuel subsidies to qualified public transport drivers and operators as it waits for COMELEC’s resolution of its appeal.
The LTFRB reported that as of April 4, a total of 110,287 public utility vehicle (PUV) beneficiaries have already received their subsidies. At least 22,932 taxis, UV Express, and other beneficiaries are still being processed.
The LTFRB last March started the disbursement of P6,500 fuel subsidies to qualified PUV drivers and operators to help them cope with the skyrocketing fuel prices, compounded by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
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