Caloocan City Mayor Dale “Along” Malapitan said that the “Agapay sa Manggagawa ng Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Caloocan” program was approved by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Malapitan issued the statement following reports that a show-cause order will be issued to him by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Committee on Kontra Bigay over alleged cash and goods distribution to residents recently.
“Nais ko pong linawin na ang nasabing aktibidad ay nasa ilalim ng ating regular na programang Agapay sa Manggagawa ng Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Caloocan at pinayagan ng Commission on Elections,” he said on Thursday, April 24.
“Ang programang ito po ay nakakuha ng COMELEC EXEMPTION noong February 7, 2025 kasabay ng iba pang regular na aktibidad ng lokal na pamahalaan upang magtuloy-tuloy ang ating serbisyo sa mga mamamayan,” he added.
According to the document from the Caloocan City Public Information Office, the request was approved on September 13, 2024.
(Caloocan City PIO)
(Caloocan City PIO)
“Ibig sabihin legal at pinapayagan ng Comelec ang pagsasagawa ng Agapay sa Manggagawa,” Malapitan stressed.
This is after the Comelec committee on Thursday, April 24, announced that they will issue show-cause orders against candidates over alleged vote-buying and campaign violations in Caloocan City.
The mayor added that the distribution of P3,225 to the beneficiaries is not related to any political activity but a part of the local government's ongoing services.
“Ang Agapay sa Manggagawa ay programa po ng ating lokal na pamahalaan mula pa noong 2022 na naglalayong magbigay ng pagkakakitaan sa mga unemployed at underemployed na mga mamamayan,” he said.
Malapitan assured his cooperation with the Comelec and commitment to an honest and fair election.
“Asahan nyo po na katuwang ako ng Comelec at ng mga mamamayan sa pagsusulong ng isang tapat at patas na eleksyon,” he said.