No Comelec exemption, no cash disbursement

A senior citizen smiles after receiving financial assistance from the Cebu City government. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

Disbursements of cash incentives is prohibited unless approved by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said application for exemption for the release of funds for such kinds of disbursements will have to be acted upon by the Comelec en banc.

But Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is ready to defy the Comelec as he is poised to release on Tuesday P15,000 to each of the 80 barangay captains as  their cash incentive for the months of January, February and March.

Each of the 560 barangay councilors will also get P9,000 while barangay treasurers and barangay secretaries will get P6,000 each.

DELAY

Rama said he is afraid that if they ask for the exemption, Comelec would not act on it immediately.

“Kon moingon ang Comelec ugma dayon ilang aprobahan,  dagan dayon mi sa Manila, (If Comelec says they will approve our application for exemption tomorrow, we will immediately go to Manila),” Rama said.

“As I’m telling now, with or without the Comelec, that has to go,” he said, referring to the disbursements.

“These are all covered by budget, all covered by ordinance. This is not just a share sa kanang ginganlan nato og (what we call) whims and caprices,” he added.

PROHIBITED

Commissioner Guanzon in an interview said that under the Omnibus Election Code, the release of funds during the campaign period is prohibited.

However, local officials can ask for exemption just like what the governor of Guimaras did when he asked for exemption to release  medical and burial assistance.

Guanzon said even the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)  asked for exemption for a cash transfer  for the 4Ps program.
The Comelec en banc approved both requests for exemptions.

“So as long as they have an approval from the Comelec en banc, they can release funds for projects and even cash disbursements for social services and other programs  during the election period provided that there is a Comelec approval . . . including senior citizens, PWDs,” Guanzon said.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the application for exemption on the ban of public funds disbursement is also for the poll body to determine whether or not the purpose of disbursement is a legitimate subject for an exemption.

IMMEDIACY

Mayor Rama’s concern, however, is the time it will take for Comelec to act on the application for exemption.

“I will discuss this with the City legal officer. But as far as I am concern, how long will it take them to hear? Mao nay atong klarohon daan (That’s what I want to clarify first),” Rama said.

Rama said the cash disbursements involve general welfare and the beneficiaries of the cash incentives, especially the senior citizens and PWDs who need the money. Rama said this can not wait until after the election.

“Hasta honorarium, hasta tanan dili na i-release, dili na i-release kay maghuwat sa Comelec. Di na mao (Honorarium and everything cannot be released because we have to wait for Comelec? That is not right),” he said.