Bets’ pre-campaign period expenses not covered by poll guidelines

MANILA – The expenses of candidates prior to the start of the campaign period are not covered by the guidelines of the 90-day campaign for national aspirants, an official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Monday.

“We have no premature campaigning. So any expense spent prior to the campaign period is not included. Even if there (seems to be) a violation of the guidelines, violations have not been considered because the campaign period has not yet started,” Elaiza David, director of the Comelec’s Education and Information Department (EID), said in a Laging Handa briefing.

David said they have no data yet as to those who have spent so much to promote themselves through advertisements on different platforms.

“So far, nothing yet since the report happens at the end of the campaign. We don’t have data yet,” she added.

Reports said among the presidential aspirants, former Senator Panfilo Lacson was recorded the highest spender last year with over PHP900 million in television, radio, print and billboard ads.

He is followed by Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso with more than PHP700 million spent on ads from January to December 2021.

Vice President Leni Robredo, meanwhile, has spent some PHP500 million on ads last year.

Another presidential bet Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has spent more than PHP300 million while Sen. Emmanuel Pacquiao only spent some PHP1.7 million in 2021.

The campaign period for candidates running for the national positions such as president, vice president, senator and party-list will begin on Tuesday.