COMELEC asked to exempt OFW aid from poll spending ban

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac has urged the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to exempt financial aid for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from the election spending ban.

Addressing distress calls from OFWs is part of the Department of Migrant Workers’ responsibility, Cacdac said in a news forum.

“Kasi ‘di ba during campaign periods may mga prohibitions on handling out financial assistance at saka sa mga appointments and promotions and transfer,” according to him.

“We usually seek exemption from the COMELEC kasi exigency ng service sa linya ng trabaho namin,” he said.

He emphasized that deploying personnel overseas during emergencies cannot wait until after the elections, as such situations require immediate action to assist OFWs.

Cacdac also said they are partnering with COMELEC on its campaign to encourage migrant workers to participate in this year’s elections.IMT