Marcos tells politicians to stay out of 'ayuda' programs

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January 5, 2026 | 6:29pm

MANILA, Philippines — As President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the 2026 national budget into law, he declared that politicians would be barred from participating in the distribution of financial assistance, a move aimed at curbing patronage in welfare programs. 

During the ceremonial signing at Malacañan Palace, Marcos acknowledged the "painful” challenges of the previous year, particularly the massive corruption scandal that engulfed the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Referring to the urgency of reform, the president said "real change could no longer wait.” 

"We will strictly implement the provision on the ‘Prohibition on Political Involvement in the Distribution of Cash and Other Forms of Financial Assistance.’ Politicians shall be barred from the distribution of any financial aid and we shall ensure that the support reaches the intended beneficiaries without patronage,” Marcos said.

But what would this look like?

Guidelines still taking shape. As of press time, the signed General Appropriations Act of 2026 has yet to be uploaded on the Official Gazette.

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said the executive branch will issue "guidelines” governing the disbursement of financial aid under the new provision.

As an example, Recto said politicians would be disallowed from attending aid distribution events.

Asked whether politicians would face penalties for violating the rule, Recto said, "We will look into that.”

Patronage concerns persist. Reporters noted that physical presence at aid distribution events is not always required for programs long criticized as tools of patronage politics, including the Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients program, or MAIFIP.

Critics have said such programs have fostered dependence on politician-sponsors, with patients needing guarantee letters from politicians to secure hospital assistance.

Asked about the continued use of guarantee letters, Recto said the executive branch would follow what is prescribed under the 2026 GAA and would neither add to nor subtract from the law.

"I will put it this way: It’s the first time that we have such a provision in the General Appropriation Act, so subukan natin muna,” Recto said.