LAGUNA – Gov. Ramil L. Hernandez appealed to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to allow the distribution of financial aid under the provincial government's Assistance to Individual in Crisis Situation (AICS) program amid the campaign period.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, March 29, Hernandez said that the checks that need to be distributed are for Lagunenses who need financial assistance for dialysis, maintenance medicines, hospital bills, and burial assistance under AICS, which has been in place even before the campaign period.
The governor posted a copy of his letter addressed to Comelec Chairperson Sheriff Abas which was sent on Feb. 21.
"With all due respect po, para namang hindi makatwiran na tapusin muna ang election bago ito payagan ng Comelec na ipamigay. 'Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo' (With all due respect, it does not seem reasonable to wait after elections before Comelec allows the distribution. 'What is the grass good for if the horse is already dead')," Hernandez said.
The governor also emphasized that the financial aid distribution isn't related to his campaign.
"Kahit hindi po ito ipamigay ngayon ay maaari pa rin akong manalo sa election dahil sa magaganda kong nagawa at 70 percent po ako sa mga surveys (Even if it's not distributed now, I can still win the election because of the good things I have done and I got 70 percent in the surveys)," he added.
The incumbent governor is seeking a third term against Laguna 3rd District Rep. Sol Aragones and Berlene Teodoro Alberto