MANILA – A Commission on Elections (Comelec) official stated on Monday that the expenses of bets prior to the start of the campaign period are not covered under the 90-day campaign guidelines for national aspirants.
“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 stated that they do not currently have data on individuals who have spent so much money promoting themselves via advertisements on various platforms.
“So far, nothing yet since the report happens at the end of the campaign. We don’t have data yet,” she added.
Based on the reports, 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 over PHP700 million spent on ads from January to December 2021.
Meanwhile, Vice President Leni Robredo has spent some PHP500 million on advertisements last year.
Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has spent more than PHP300 million, while Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao just spent PHP1.7 million in 2021.
On Tuesday, candidates running for national positions such as president, vice president, senator, and party-list is the start of their campaign period.
