Davide spent more than Pablo John for Capitol campaign

CEBU Gov.-elect Hilario Davide III spent more than P6.1 million for his campaign or more than double the P1.8 million spent by his rival Rep. Pablo John Garcia in last month’s elections.

Davide’s Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) submitted to the provincial Commission on Elections (Comelec) office showed that he spent P3.6 million for advertisements in print, broadcast and online media.

Davide also allocated P235,578.15 for traveling expenses followed by stipends for election watchers at P861,000, the printing of sample ballots at P417,500 and printing and distribution of other campaign materials at P246,978.

He also spent P200,000 to pay his campaigners and staff members, P79,500 for political meetings and rallies, P68,266.26 for rental and furnishing of campaign headquarters and P11,443 for telephone and communication expenses.

Davide, son of former chief justice Hilario Davide Jr., spent P400,000 for lawyers. Like Davide, the bulk of Pablo John’s election expenditures came from media advertisements at P1.3 million.

Pablo John also spent P347,725 for printing and distribution of campaign materials; followed by P165,000 for traveling expenses and P5,000 for telephone and communication expenses.

His successor in Cebu’s 3rd district, suspended Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, spent P901,657.98 in election expenses based on her SOCE. Her opponent, Pinamungahan Mayor Geraldine Yapha, spent P1.4 million.

Provincial Election Asst. Arthur Patiga said all 43 candidates in the province beat yesterday’s 5 p.m. deadline for the submission of their SOCE in accordance with Republic Act 7166.

The law requires every candidate and treasurer of a political party to file an itemized statement of all contributions and expenditures within 30 days after election day.

Anyone who fails to submit SOCEs is penalized with an administrative fine from P2,000 to P30,000 for the first offense, and from P2,000 to P60,000 for second offense, depending on the position, according to Comelec Resolution No. 9476.

Though not a criminal offense, the failure to file SOCEs can be penalized with disqualification from holding public office.

Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said those who failed to submit SOCEs in two elections shall be disqualified from running for public office. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol