Con-com seeks ban vs campaign donations from religious groups, foreigners

Con-com spokesman Ding Generoso. JULIUS LEONEN / INQUIRER.net

President Rodrigo Duterte’s charter change committee wants to ban campaign contributions from religious organizations and foreigners under the proposed federal form of government.

The 22-member Consultative Committee (Con-com) has drafted a new section under the proposed federal Charter which aims to regulate political contributions and campaign financing under a federal system of government.

In a press briefing on Thursday, Con-com spokesman Ding Generoso explained that the new section would address unequal campaign funding among political parties, transparency, campaign overspending and corruption.

The draft section states that: “Financial contributions from religious organizations, foreigners and foreign governments, and illegal sources are prohibited.”

Likewise, under the proposal, the Con-com would make campaign funding available to all political parties and candidates through the creation of a “Democracy Fund.”

The “Democracy Fund,” Generoso said, would be a depository of campaign contributions managed by the state.

It would be apportioned among political parties and or candidates, the Con-com official explained, adding that the provision would also empower small political parties.

The fund would be administered by the Commission on Elections and to be audited by the Commission on Audit to ensure transparency, he added.

Any citizen, corporation, partnership or association who contributes to the fund would be granted tax credits, Generoso said.   /muf