DSWD
– Department of Social Welfare and Department Secretary Rex Gatchalian said they will stop releasing cash aid to beneficiaries if there will be politicians in the distribution sites.
Last January 5, a few days after the Philippines operated on a reenacted budget, President Ferdinand
Marcos Jr. signed the 2026 national budget
. The country’s fund for this year amounts to P6.79 trillion.
Government Counterpart for Certain Foreign-Assisted Projects: P35.77 billion
Budgetary Support for Government Owned and Controlled Corporations: P6.895 billion
Insurance of Government Assets and Interests: P2 billion
RACE Program (Automotive Industry Competitiveness): P250 million
CARS Program (Automotive Industry Support): P4.32 billion
Payment of Personnel Services Requirements: P43.245 billion
Photo Courtesy of PhilStar
After signing the 2026 national budget, Pres. Ferdinand
Marcos Jr. announced his order to junk the “Padrino System” in the government
. According to him, politicians are barred from distributing cash aid and all forms of assistance to the Filipinos.
Recently, DSWD Sec. Rex Gatchalian claimed that the department will stop the releasing of the cash aid in case politicians will “gatecrash” at the distribution sites. According to him, if they will receive reports prior, he will not allow the paymaster to go to the area.
Photo Courtesy of Manila Standard
“Hindi ko papapuntahin yung paymaster namin habang nandoon yung mga pulitiko. Hindi kami aappear doon, hindi,”
the DSWD Secretary said.
According to DSWD Chief Rex Gatchalian, they can stop the cash aid distribution once a politician appears at the area but he hopes that it will not have to lead to that situation. Amid the order of Marcos Jr. on politicians not being allowed to distribute financial assistance and other forms of aid, the sanction on those who will be caught violating the so-called “anti-epal” clause has yet to be identified.
We have the option to stop. Kapag nag-gate crash, we can stop pero wag na natin paabutin sa ganun,”
the DSWD Chief added.
Based on the
report
, when asked if the government should begin legislating a law that states the penalties for officials who take credit in the cash aid distribution, Gatchalian claimed that he will leave the decision to the lawmakers. Previously, even prior to the order of the President, Senator
Robin Padilla has spoken on the “ayuda” given by politicians