MANILA, Philippines—The Liberal Party (LP) spent almost P1.9 million for its proclamation rally on February 12 while the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) shelled out just half of what the ruling party paid for its Cebu rally.
According to the statement of expenses on public rally submitted by both coalitions to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), LP spent P1,891,120 for its rally in Plaza Miranda, Quiapo while UNA’s expenditures totaled P842,224.66 for the rally at Plaza Independencia, Cebu city.
The statements showed that LP paid Creative Synergy Inc. for the “staging, logistics and production” of the rally while UNA had all the individual receipts of their expenses in Cebu including the airfares.
UNA however received P946,625 worth of contributions from “William Gatchalian Supporters” in the form of “hotel accommodation and various contributions,” the statement said, adding that LP did not get any contributions.
According to Comelec resolution 9615, candidates from political parties may spend P3 per voter while independent candidates may spend P5 per voter.
Political parties and partylist groups, meanwhile, may spend P5 per voter “for every voter currently registered in the constituency or constituencies where it has official candidates.”
There are about P52 million registered voters nationwide for the May 2013 midterm polls.