Palace: Duterte didn’t overspend in campaign, open for probe

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte did not overspend in his campaign and is open for investigation by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Malacañang said Monday.

“No,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said when asked if the President overspent. “Kung ano yun eh, eh di ang Comelec pumasok na diyan, ‘di ba?” (If that’s the case then Comelec should have entered the picture, right?)

Panelo issued the statement after poll watchdog Kontra Daya urged Comelec to investigate Duterte’s spending during the 2016 national elections.

Kontra Daya pointed out it was revealed during the recent Senate hearing on ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal that the Duterte camp spent roughly P175 million for advertisements in that network alone.

Duterte declared a total spending of P371 million for his campaign for the presidency, according to his statement of contributions and expenditures (SOCE) submitted to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“Does this mean that Duterte and his supporters four years ago had so much faith in ABS-CBN that it supposedly decided to pay the latter about 47.2 percent of its total election budget?” Kontra Daya asked.

“Hindi ba (Isn’t it) when you’re running for any position, there are friends and supporters who contribute, who pay for your advertisements if they like you,” Panelo said of Duterte’s source of funds.

Panelo also insisted that the President violated no laws and that he is open for investigation.

“Ah wala (None). Definitely. Eh number one nga siyang (He is the number one) against violators eh, how can he violate the law,” Panelo said.

“The President is always open, di ba? Every time he’s being accused, eh di magdemanda kayo kung totoo yung sinasabi ninyo (then file a case if what you’re saying is true),” he added. “Basta he has not violated any law and he will not. He enforces the law.”