Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, during an interview with Karen Davila on January 9, called the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) as a way to buy votes.
During the interview, Dela Rosa said the program was unpopular among the senators in 2024 as they were not informed by the House of Representatives who introduced the said program.
He described the P5-B budget allocation for AKAP in the senate as appeasement or ‘pampalubag loob,’ so the bicameral committee would accept the program.
He also declared that his office would not accept any budget from AKAP as he opposed the program.
“No, I will not take it (AKAP budget allocation). Kahit na hirap ako sa eleksyon. Kahit na wala akong pampalubag loob doon sa kung sinong dapat lulubagin natin ang loob. I will just appeal to their moralities na wala akong maibigay sa inyo dahil ayaw kong sumali sa programa na ino-oppose ko…Dapat consistent tayo, walang irony–iba ‘yung sinasabi, iba ‘yung ginagawa,” said Dela Rosa.
He also said that the reelectionist may use AKAP to buy votes.
“Pambili ng boto ‘yan, ano pa ba ang isipin natin diyan, kung tutuusin sana kung out of the picture ang politiko diyan, without the presence of the politicians, napakaganda sana [na programa]” said Dela Rosa.
He also doubted that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), who would set the guidelines for AKAP, would survive the resistance of the politicians who would be forbidden to get involved in the distribution of payout.
“Kaya ba nila yan? In the end of the day, magsusumbong ang mga congressman, mga mayor na, mga politiko na ito sa Malacanang ‘bakit ‘yung DSWD tinanggalan kami ng papel diyan sa aming allocation’ so very complicated talaga,” he said.
It can be recalled that the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) allowed the distribution of AKAP during the midterm election period as long as no candidate is present in the payout.