AKAP Is a Tactic to Buy Votes, Says Bato dela Rosa
AKAP – Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa criticized the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program during an interview with Karen Davila on January 9, calling it a tactic to buy votes.
He expressed concerns that the program was unpopular among senators in 2024 because they were not properly informed by the House of Representatives, which introduced the program. Dela Rosa described the P5 billion allocated for AKAP in the Senate as an attempt to appease members of the bicameral committee to ensure the program’s acceptance.
The senator declared that his office would refuse any portion of the AKAP budget, citing his opposition to the program. He stated that even if he faced challenges in the upcoming elections, he would not accept the budget allocation. Dela Rosa emphasized his commitment to consistency, stressing that actions should align with one’s principles, and he would not support a program he opposed.
Furthermore, Dela Rosa raised concerns that reelectionist politicians might use AKAP to gain votes. He argued that without political involvement, the program could be beneficial, but its current setup would likely lead to vote-buying.
“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],” Bato said.
The senator also questioned whether the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which would oversee the program’s guidelines, could withstand resistance from politicians who might be excluded from the payout distribution process. He expressed skepticism about DSWD’s ability to handle the program effectively, given potential complaints from congressmen and local politicians about their lack of involvement in allocating the funds.
It’s worth noting that the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) allowed the distribution of AKAP during the midterm election period, as long as no candidates were present during the payout process.