The request of the Office of Vice President Leni Robredo for it to be allowed to continue with its COVID-19 response programs even during the campaign period is still being evaluated by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
"That is still being evaluated if I'm not mistaken. The Law Department has to evaluate the request first to see if it fulfills a humanitarian ground," Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said in a virtual press briefing Tuesday, Jan. 25.
"Normally, exemptions to election bans can be granted on humanitarian grounds to see whether or not its really needed," he added.
Jimenez cited how they granted exemption to disaster relief operations in the past.
"We've exempted typhoon relief operations. Mostly disaster relief in general," he said.
There will be a ban on the release, disbursement, or expenditures of public funds from March 25 until May 8.