THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday issued its final call for qualified individuals to file their applications to be exempted from the election gun ban that is set to take effect beginning Sunday.
In a televised public briefing, Comelec spokesman John Rex Laudiangco called on gun owners to file their applications with the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns (CBFSC) so they will be issued certificates of authority to carry their firearms.
“To those that have licenses to own firearms and permits to carry them outside of residence, if you don’t have a Certificate of Authority from the Comelec, you are still violating the law,” Laudiangco said.
“Therefore, if you are qualified to apply, file your application before the gun ban takes effect,” he added.
The election gun ban will be in effect for the entirety of the election period, which will be from January 12 to June 11, 2025.
The ban covers the carrying of firearms and deadly weapons outside residence or place of business and in all public places; and the transportation of firearms and/or their parts, ammunitions and/or their components, and explosives and/or their components and/or controlled chemicals.
“In our Comelec checkpoints nationwide, we will give special attention to gun ban violators,” said Laudiangco.
He said those who will be found violating the prohibition will be held liable for committing an election offense, with penalties ranging from imprisonment from one to six years, permanent disqualification from public office, and loss of right to vote.
“We will be strict in implementing the gun ban because we intend to have an orderly and secure elections,” he stressed.
PRIVATE ARMIES
Comelec chairman George Garcia yesterday renewed the poll body’s call to the PNP to eliminate private armed groups (PAGs) before the start of the campaign period for national candidates on February 11.
“The Comelec continues to appeal to the PNP to eliminate all private armed groups, hopefully, before the start of the campaign period,” said the poll chief as he stressed that PAGs pose threats to the electoral exercise.
“We believe that the presence of private armed groups is a threat to peace and order in the country and the people cannot vote properly,” he said.
SOCIAL SERVICES
Likewise, Garcia said the Comelec will strictly prohibit government agencies, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), to involve national and local candidates during the distribution of financial assistance from programs such as the Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita (AKAP).
Several sectors have raised concerns that AKAP and similar cash aid programs could be used for the political gains of candidates in the May 2025 polls.
“Politicians shouldn’t be present in the distribution to beneficiaries. Bottom line is politicians are not essential in the distribution of the DSWD,” said Garcia, adding that “during the distribution, only the personnel or employees of the Department should be there, and not the politicians.”
The DSWD is updating the implementing guidelines of the AKAP program to ensure that it won’t be used to advance political interests.
One of the guidelines eyed is making sure that local officials will have no participation in identifying the eligible beneficiaries for the AKAP program.
As for those pushing for a temporary suspension of the AKAP program until after the elections, Garcia said the Comelec won’t be a party to it because they are aware that social services are much needed, especially by the poor and disadvantaged.
“The law provides for an absolute ban but there can be exemptions from the Comelec,” the official explained.
“Those aids to the poor, scholarships, burial, food assistance, the Comelec will never be a hindrance to social services,” he added.
Under Comelec Resolution No. 10999, the release, disbursement, or expenditures of public funds is prohibited from March 28 to May 11, 2025.
The Omnibus Election Code, however, provides that government programs, such as those of the DSWD, may be allowed by the poll body after due notice and hearing.
