ALL the programs introduced by Mayor Honey Lacuna since she assumed office in 2022 and which are being continued now are covered by an ‘exemption’ from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to enable the city government to still carry them out as part of a functioning local government unit.
Manila City Administrator Bernie Ang said that Ang made the statement when sought by the media for his reaction on the show cause order (SCO) issued by Commission on Elections (Comelec) for Lacuna, adding that the lady mayor has never been into the habit of breaking laws and always makes sure that everything she does is aboveboard.
According to Ang, Lacuna, as mayor of Manila, has programs which she began upon assumption of the mayorship in 2022, which includes providing financial assistance to various sectors of the city under her administration’s special amelioration program (SAP) which had been under implementation for several years now.
“Upang maituloy ang mga programang pinakikinabangan ng mga mamamayan ng Maynila, humingi ng ‘exemption’ ang pamahalaang-lungsod sa Comelec, na ang sabihin ay hiniling ng lungsod sa Comelec na payagan o huwag isama sa mga ipinagbabawal ang patuloy na pagbibigay ng mga nasabing benepisyo dahil kailangang-kailangan ito ng mga residente,” Ang explained.
The city administrator added that this is also pursuant to a memorandum of the Department of the Interior and Local Government which directs local government units to seek Comelec approval for their continued provision of various forms of assistance to their constituents which includes monetary assistance.
Ang said the Lacuna administration did not want a repeat of the 2022 incident where the city government had to temporarily hold its monthly financial assistance for senior citizens, PWDs, solo parents and university students after one of Lacuna’s political rivals questioned it. Lacuna was the Vice Mayor then and since Isko Moreno was then already busy campaigning in the provinces, it was Lacuna who ran the city’s affairs.
Since the said program is being questioned, Ang said he wrote Comelec to ask for permission and clarification if the local government can continue the provision of assistance for seniors, solo parents, PWDs and students from the PLM and UdM.
In his letter, Ang said City Hall sought for an ‘exemption’ so that the senior citizens and other sectors may continue receiving their allowances which he said they need, whether or not there is an election.
Atty. Gregorio Bonifacio, Election Officer IV of the Comelec, replied that the distribution of such assistance may be continued as long as it is not covered by Resolution 10747, which sets the prohibitions regarding the use of funds during election period. It states that a certificate of exemption is needed to continue activities and programs that have something to do with social welfare projects and services during campaign period.
Office of Senior Citizens’ Affairs Elinor Jacinto also sought the legal opinion of the City Legal Office which stated that the said benefits are considered as “routine and normal expenses” which have been in place for years already and are therefore not covered by those prohibited by the Comelec.
“Dahil sa pangyayaring ito noong 2022 kung kaya’t ngayon ay tiniyak ng administrasyong Lacuna na mag-apply muna ng ‘exemption’ bago itinuloy ang mga nasabing programang dati nang pinakikibangan ng mga taga-Maynila. Nangangahulugang ligal ito dahil hindi ito nangyari ngayong election period lamang. Matagal na itong ibinibigay at ito ay itinuturing na ‘routine and normal expenses.’ Ibig sabihin, ito ay nakagawian na at normal na gastusin ng lungsod at hindi ito kagaya ng pamimigay ng pera sa public teachers o pamimigay ng ‘goods’ na ngayon lang nagaganap sa panahon ng kampany,” Ang said.
Too, Ang stressed that Lacuna has not violated any law or regulation since the city government duly sought ‘exemption’ to enable continuity of the programs needed to help the residents, just like the distribution of free medicines and medical services, free education, jobs and financial help for victims of calamities and fire.
