2 months ago
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CEBU CITY — At the height of the political campaign for the May 12, 2025 elections, a government cash aid payout in a southern Cebu town sparked controversy.
A lawmaker and his allies were accused of turning the event into a campaign stage, prompting the local mayor to file a formal complaint and legal action.
Argao Mayor Allan Sesaldo lodged the complaint on April 3, accusing 2nd District Rep. Edsel Galeos and his political allies of attending the April 2 payout of the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Assistance for its Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program in Barangay Usmad.
Sesaldo alleged that the group delivered speeches during the official distribution.
The mayor said that this violated Commission on Elections (Comelec) rules, which prohibit political activity during the distribution of government aid.
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The mayor said the event took place with little to no coordination with the municipal government of Argao.
He pointed out that the municipal hall was informed of the activity through a letter dated March 31, two days before the event.
Sesaldo said the venue, schedule and list of beneficiaries were not provided by the municipal government but were released by Galeos' office, raising concerns about the impartiality of the program.
He said the presence and speeches of the congressman and his group occurred within the official bounds of the payout program, in front of the intended beneficiaries.
Calling it a "flagrant violation" of Comelec and DSWD rules, Sesaldo argued that the setup gave the impression that the assistance was tied to political loyalty.
To support his claims, the mayor said he has compiled photo and video evidence as well as witness testimonies.
