IT IS ABOUT time we review and strengthen the laws that govern elections with the objective of providing an adequate campaign regulation.
The election campaign period in the Philippines is not only vicious and divisive; it is also very expensive. In the 2016 and 2010 elections, for example, candidates, especial those running for national offices, spent billions of pesos. We have over 100 million population. If these billions of pesos in campaign budget are given to each Filipino (say P1 million for every Juan dela Cruz), theoretically there would be no poor people in the country, right? Candidates promising to eradicate poverty should put their money where their mouths are.
But seriously, there must be a stronger campaign regulation to prevent a ridiculous and out-of-control election spending. Can the Commission on Elections (Comelec) do this? The campaign spending in the country is outrageous. Any way you look at it, our elections are among the most expensive in the world.
It is part of the duties of Comelec to make sure that elections are fair to all by ensuring that the candidates do not exceed the limit on the amount of campaign spending and that they follow the campaign regulations. Comelec should implement a strong disclosure requirement for all candidates and it must devise a more effective mechanism to look into the campaign expenses of every candidate.
The reality on the ground is that politicians embark on heavy political ads and campaign promotion to gain popularity among the voters before the start of the campaign period, fully aware that their spending would eventually be restricted when the campaign period kicks off.
Under our election laws, every candidate and treasurer of the political party shall, within 30 days after the day of the election, file in duplicate with the offices of the Comelec the full, true and itemized statement of all contributions and expenditures in connection with the election. No person elected to any public office shall enter upon the duties of his office until he has filed the statement of contributions and expenditures.
