Over 100 poll winners face ouster for overspending—Comelec

MANILA, Philippines—Expect more disqualifications of “more than a hundred” candidates who overspent in the 2013 national and local elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said following the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision upholding the disqualification of Laguna Governor Emilio Ramon “ER” Ejercito.

“There is no truth in allegations that the Comelec is singling out a particular person, family or political party,” James Jimenez, Comelec spokesman, said in a statement Wednesday.

Comelec office. FILE PHOTO

“In fact, the Comelec’s Campaign Finance Unit has been moving against more than a hundred candidates who overspent during the 2013 national and local elections,” he said.

Ejercito was first disqualified in September 26, 2013 by the Comelec first division following the petition filed by his rival Edgar San Luis. The Comelec en banc subsequently affirmed Ejercito’s disqualification in May 1, 2014.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the Comelec en banc’s decision.

Comelec disqualified Ejercito for spending P23.56 million during the 2013 campaign period. The amount is P18.99 million more than the allowed P4.57 million (or P3 for each of the 1,525,522 registered voters in Laguna).

Jimenez said that they will not honor any sacred cows among the candidates and that they will be held accountable for their overspending.

“Politicians who will run for office in 2016 violate campaign finance rules at their own risk,” Jimenez said.

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