Comelec supports amending outdated poll expenditure caps

“The Comelec supports measures to revise these limits to amounts more attuned to the present times, which realistically manifest the present value of the Philippine peso,” he added. (Arianne Lacanilao/PCI Photo)

MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday expressed support for amending the campaign expenditure cap as it poses a timely approach considering various monetary factors in the country.

The Comelec remarked on the approval by the House of Representatives (HoR) on its third and final reading of House Bill (HB) 8370, which seeks to amend Section 13 of Republic Act 7166, entitled, “An Act providing for synchronized national and local elections and for other electoral reforms, authorizing appropriations therefor, and for other purposes.”

Under RA 7166, political candidates have spending limitations between PHP3 and PHP10 per registered voter.

In a Viber message, Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said that changes in inflation and monetary factors since 1991 have outdated these expenditure limitations.

“Until now, (the campaign expenditure limits) is pegged at PHP10 for candidates for president and vice president, and PHP3 for other candidates with political parties; PHP5 for independent candidates and political parties,” he said.

“The Comelec supports measures to revise these limits to amounts more attuned to the present times, which realistically manifest the present value of the Philippine peso,” he added.

Laudiangco noted that the Comelec, through its reorganized Political Finance and Affairs Department, formerly known as the Campaign Finance Office, had collaborated with a technical working group and engaged in all legislative hearings to improve the three-decade-old law.

He, however, said that the actual decision is in the hands of legislators.

“We submit to the wisdom of Congress, and commit to administer and enforce all laws pertaining to elections,” Laudiangco said.

He also expressed hopes for the Executive Branch to consequently “provide realistic but deterrent expenditure limits” to ensure “fair play.”

Earlier, the proposed amendment received 268 favorable votes, three “No” votes, and one abstention from the House.

Under the proposed HB 8370, the campaign expenditure shall be capped at PHP30 to PHP50.

In particular, the campaign expense limits per voter would be set at PHP50 for the president; PHP40 for the vice president; PHP30 for the senator, district representative, governor, vice governor, board member, mayor, vice mayor, councilor, party-list representative, and political parties; and PHP5 for independent candidates.