Metro Manila, Philippines – Exclude cash aid to overseas Filipino workers (OFW) from the poll spending ban, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
During the campaign period, restrictions such as government spending are being implemented by Comelec.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac called on the poll body, saying immediate response to OFWs’ distress calls is the agency’s mandate.
“Kung kailangang mayroong i-deploy na tao overseas, hindi kailangang maghintay iyon ng after the elections. Emergency na iyon. Kailangan na iyon ng OFWs natin. So, we seek exemption from the Comelec,” Cacdac said in a media forum on Saturday, Jan. 18.
[Translation: We cannot wait until after the elections if we need to deploy personnel overseas. That is an emergency. Assistance is needed by our OFWs.]
He said they are teaming up with the Comelec to encourage migrant workers to vote in the midterm elections in May.
The Comelec also imposed a gun ban as the election period began on Jan. 12.
READ: Comelec explains ban on realistic toy guns
As of Jan. 17, the Comelec has confiscated 26 guns and other prohibited items in 7,600 checkpoints across the country. Nearly 30 have been arrested.
