MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday reminded candidates - winning, losing, and disqualified - to submit their statements of contributions and expenditures as soon as possible.
"We'd like to remind all candidates that they have until June 9 to submit their statements of expenditures and contributions. What is important is by June 9, you have to submit your reports, or else you get fined," Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal said.
According to Comelec Resolution 8944, candidates who fail to submit their reports will be made to pay an administrative fine ranging from P1,000 to P30,000. Those elected may also not hold office if they do not comply with the requirement.
The statement of contribution must declare donations in cash or in kind to a candidate, political party, or coalition of political parties. Such donations shall not be subject to the payment of donors' and donees' tax.
The statement of expenditures, meanwhile, includes a candidate or party's campaign traveling expenses; compensation for campaigners, clerks, stenographers, messengers, and other persons employed in the campaign; telephone, postage, freight, and delivery charges; distribution of printed materials; rent and maintenance of campaign headquarters; expenses for political rallies; newspaper, radio, and TV ads; employment of a legal counsel; copying and classifying the list of voters; and, printing sample ballots.
Under the Fair Elections Act, candidates for president and vice president may only spend P10 per voter-or P500 million, with around 50 million registered voters this year. Candidates for other positions may only spend P3 per voter registered in the place where the candidate filed his or her certificate of candidacy.
Larrazabal said they will verify the statements' contents. For instance, statements of expenditures on TV advertising will be compared to the broadcast logs submitted by television networks to the Comelec.
"If there's an expenditure report that looks too low, we'll look into it," he said. - Ryan Chua
