THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has allowed the resumption of the distribution of fuel subsidy amid the election spending ban.

Comelec commissioner George Garcia said the Comelec en banc has approved the petition of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) seeking exemption from the election spending ban specifically for the distribution of cash aid to drivers and operators affected by the series of oil price hikes.

Garcia said the LTFRB will have to wait for the issuance of the resolution before resuming the distribution.

He said the resolution, which includes certain conditions, such as “strict implementation” of the fuel subsidy program, the parameters of the project’s implementation, and how targeted beneficiaries will apply to the cash aid, will be out by Thursday, April 7, 2022, or Friday.

“They have to specifically mention beneficiaries, the how and when the project should be implemented, as well as the documentation as to the compliance of the submission before of a similar project,” Garcia said.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Assistant Secretary Steve Pastor welcomed the Comelec's nod.

“The LTFRB has already prepared the pertinent document in coordination with Landbank so that once we receive the actual resolution, we can already implement the thing,” he said.

Garcia said the Comelec also allowed the DOTr to implement the Automated Fare Collections System, which institutionalizes the cashless payment options in all transport modes nationwide.

In a press conference in Camp Crame on Thursday, April 7, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez warned candidates planning to use the fuel subsidy program for their political advantage.

“Wag na nila subukan sumakay because that specific ang grant, may nakakabit na restrictions and conditions, hindi pwedeng kung sino lang ang pwedeng mamigay ng panggasolina,” he said.

Garcia added the DOTr does not need to obtain the poll body's nod since the program is not considered a "social services" project under the Omnibus Election Code. (SunStar Philippines)