Last night’s proclamation rally by the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) in Cebu City opens a 90-day campaign period for the midterm elections, one expected to invite questions about how political camps spend.
Questions arose early over who paid for the wooden stage set up at the Plaza Independencia after Cebu City Hall vehicles were seen transporting materials to build it.
UNA senatorial candidate Nancy Binay said the coalition paid for the stage. But if a private contractor was hired, why use city government vehicles and equipment?
It’s difficult to deny the obvious with city maintenance crew buzzing around Plaza Independencia and a City Hall vehicle unloading wooden risers at the park.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, UNA’s ally in Cebu, is in the awkward position of supporting the coalition and exposing himself to an election law violation.
“It can’t be helped,” he explained, because Vice President Jejomar Binay is a main figure in the rally. From one incumbent to another then it’s OK to use government resources out of protocol?
Being the gentleman that he is, Mayor Rama can’t register any protest then when the Liberal Party (LP) Cebu chapter holds a proclamation rally in the city next week.
The mayor is entitled to his cup of bitterness.
He was badly burned by his own party when the LP spurned his reelection bid and chose to back his opponent, former mayor and Rep. Tomas Osmena. Most of the City Council and Cebu city’s two congressmen are aligned with LP.
Rama is in no position to restrict, let alone prohibit the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) slate from staging their own rallies in the city, even if they occupy another park like, say, Fuente Osmeña.
While UNA can easily claim that they paid for the stage and other park preparations, like the tree-trimming and rental of Kaoshiung buses, voters should hold accountable all candidates in detailing their campaign expenses and funding sources.
Sadly it’s never spelled out exactly how a candidate puts together his or her war chest.
The real sources of election wealth remain a mystery even after the post-election deadline of filing election reports with the Comelec.
It’s difficult to track with precision, how much will be spent on advertisements on TV, radio and print, including online exposure.
What voters should remain extra-vigilant about is whether taxpayers money and government resources are being used to fuel the campaign of a candidate or a political group.