ILOILO City – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Iloilo City said the reported use of beneficiaries of the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program for campaign-related tasks in Barangay Lapuz Norte, if true, constitutes a violation of election laws.
The incident, which allegedly occurred on March 17, involved TUPAD workers putting up campaign tarpaulins for a political party while on government-paid duty.
TUPAD is a community-based assistance program of DOLE that provides emergency employment to displaced, underemployed, and seasonal workers for a short period, typically involving cleanup, maintenance, or other socially useful tasks within their communities.
Comelec Iloilo City Election Assistant IV Jonathan Sayno said such acts breach regulations on the use of public resources during the election period.
“TUPAD wages come from the government. These workers are supposed to perform tasks assigned to them within their barangay during working hours. Using state-funded labor for political activities is improper,” Sayno said in an interview.
While TUPAD beneficiaries are not prohibited from participating in political activities, Sayno clarified that they may only do so outside of their official working hours. He warned that both the workers and those who directed them could face consequences.
“The accountability lies with those who designated them. Those who participated could be delisted from the program for misusing work hours for partisan activities,” he added.
Sayno also addressed the issue of using public facilities such as barangay gyms for campaign rallies. He emphasized that access to such venues must be based on a fair and transparent system.
“Utilization must be on a first-come, first-served basis. Candidates must secure permits from the local government, copy furnish the COMELEC, and notify the local police,” he said.
He further warned barangay officials against arbitrarily denying candidates the use of public venues.
“If a barangay official blocks a rally without valid grounds, that’s an election offense. In case of conflicting schedules, the COMELEC will mediate and set an appropriate appointment. No permit, no use of the facility,” Sayno stressed.
Meanwhile, DOLE Region 6 is conducting its own verification of the reported misuse of TUPAD workers in the campaign activity./PN