Comelec on LTFRB's petition for exemption: Expect decision until Thursday (Sabong News)
Author
Dhel Nazario
Date
APRIL 04 2022
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Monday, April 4, that it may announce its decision on the petition of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to be exempted from fund releases ban in place during the campaign period by Thursday this week.
During the Laging Handa press briefing, Commissioner George Irwin Garcia said that LTFRB has already complied with the requirements and has submitted a position paper or memorandum that it is currently undergoing study. After this, a recommendation will be submitted to the en banc by Wednesday.
“Expect niyo po hanggang Thursday ay mai-aanounce na po natin yung action ng Comelec patungkol po sa request ng LTFRB (Please expect the Comelec’s announcement of its action until Thursday),” he said.
Under Comelec Resolution No. 10747 promulgated on Dec. 16, 2021, effective March 25, until May 8, 2022, no public official or employee, including officials, and those of government-owned or controlled corporations and their subsidiaries, shall release, disburse or expend any public funds.
Recently on March 31, Comelec has approved the petition of the Department of Health (DOH) to be exempted in line with its Covid-19 vaccination program.
Meanwhile, Garcia said that they will urgently act on LTFRB’s petition but at the same time they will have to thoroughly review their petition, if the procedure in disbursing the funds is appropriate as well as the project’s implementation.
“Huwag po kayo magalala lalong lalo na sa kababayan natin na mga driver ng pampublikong sasakyan at yung umaasa sa fuel subsidy, kaagad po natin iyan aaksyunan. Hindi na po natin idedelay iyan (Don’t worry, especially public utility vehicle drivers and those who are relying on the fuel subsidy, we will immediately act on this. We will not delay this),” he added.
Target beneficiaries of LTFRB’s fuel subsidy are drivers and operators of public utility vehicles (PUVs) who were affected by the series of big-time oil price hikes. They will each receive P6,500 as part of the efforts to cushion the impact of the oil price increase.
