Law to increase campaign spending limit sought

AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — A congressman has filed a bill seeking to increase the campaign spending limit of candidates and political parties.

“The ceiling pegged under present laws on authorized expenses of candidates and political parties for campaign purposes are unrealistic and should be increased,” said Baguio City Rep. Nicasio Aliping, Jr., author of House Bill 2362, Sunday.

The proposed measure, if passed into law, will amend Republic Act 7166 or the Synchronized National and Local Elections Law by increasing the election expense limit of those running for president and vice president from P10 to P30 per registered voter. Senatorial candidates will also be given a limit of P30 from the original provision of P3.

Other candidates will be allowed to spend P20 per registered voter in their constituency instead of the present rate of P3. The same amount applies to political parties and candidates without party-backing.

Aliping said his bill sought to address the alleged understatement of campaign expenses by candidates which affect government revenues.

He said the excess campaign contributions may also be taxed as income of the candidate.

Aliping, however, said the “income taxes that might be collected from unutilized contributions are much less compared to what could be realized if actual expenses at prevailing prices are reported.”

The proposal comes after the Commission on Elections announced late September the disqualification of Laguna governor Emilio Ramon “ER” Ejercito for overspending in the May 2013 elections.