The Manila City government on Monday, April 25, said it will continue the distribution of the monthly cash aid for its senior citizens.
Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna said the city government will push through with the distribution of the P1,500 cash allowance for the senior citizens in the city.
The city leaders said they have received requests from senior citizens to proceed with the usual distribution of their monthly benefits.
Their announcement came after mayoral candidate Alex Lopez earlier questioned if the benefits for senior citizens have been approved by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) based on Resolution 1047.
According to the Manila city legal office, the said cash allowance is considered as “routine and normal expenses” and is not covered by Comelec Resolution 10747.
In a reply to Secretary to the Mayor Bernie Ang’s letter requesting for clearance for the distribution of the benefits for senior citizens, Comelec Election Officer IV Atty. Gregorio Bonifacio said the cash allowances may be given provided it is not covered by the said Comelec resolution, which sets prohibitions on public spending during the election period.
The scheduled distribution of the benefits for senior citizens had to be deferred following Lopez's letter, he said.
“Bakit ngayon lang inuurirat? Dahil ba mag-e-eleksyon? Paano naman ang mga senior citizen na lubhang inaasahan ang tulong ng gobyerno me eleksyon o wala? (Why are they questioning it now? Is it because the election is near? What about senior citizens who highly expect government assistance with or without elections?)," Ang said.