Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, an independent presidential candidate, praised the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday for exempting the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s (LTFRB) fuel subsidy grant from the ban on the disbursement of public funds during the election period.
“Way to go, and kudos to the Comelec for acting quickly on such a no-brainer issue as the fuel subsidy grant under the Special Provision in the Department of Transportation’s 2022 budget,” Lacson said in a press statement.
Lacson stated that the LTFRB’s fuel subsidy program will be of great assistance to the affected sectors.
“This is a fantastic deal for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators, as well as farmers and fishermen dealing with the ongoing rise in oil prices,” he said.
Previously, the LTFRB halted the implementation of its fuel subsidy program after the poll body’s spending ban went into effect on March 25 and was set to last until May 8.
Despite rising fuel prices, the government has allocated PHP2.5 billion for fuel subsidies, which will benefit 377,000 public utility vehicles (PUVs), operators, and drivers.
Lacson previously stated that the fuel subsidy is a “call of the times,” as rising oil prices threaten to crush those in the transportation sector, as well as fishermen and farmers.
“Unless there is jurisprudence along that line, I don’t think the election ban on providing social services to our people should cover the national government, especially at a time when fuel prices continue to rise,” he said.
Lacson stated that the Senate should take action on the issue by exercising its oversight functions and questioning the implementing agencies’ reasoning for suspending the subsidy.
“Hindi ko ma-reconcile ang vote-buying pagdating sa ganyan,” he said, “I don’t see how that can be construed as vote-buying.”
Lacson pointed out that the General Appropriations Act requires the government to provide subsidies to affected industries.
Lacson also backed calls to exempt teachers’ election honoraria from taxation.
“Needless to say, I support such an appeal from our public school teachers. It is the least the government can do to motivate them to perform the extra and thankless – yet patriotic – duty “He continued.
Lacson also stated that there is no time to waste for the agencies involved to take action.
“Our teachers who will be on election duty deserve nothing less,” he added.
Credits to Philippine News Agency