Manila, Sept. 22 -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has exempted four assistance programs of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) from the ban on public spending in connection with the Nov. 2 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.

In Memorandum No. 26-04935, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia approved the LTFRB's request to continue implementing the Service Contracting Program-EDSA Busway Extension, Service Contracting Program Love Bus "Libreng Sakay," Fuel Subsidy Program and Public Transport Modernization Program.

The memorandum listed approved disbursements of PHP51 million for the EDSA Busway Extension, PHP940 million for the Love Bus, PHP1.785 billion for the Fuel Subsidy Program and PHP1.5 bi...