Only 4 bets settled poll expenditures

So far only four candidates, none of whom were elected in the last May 14 elections, have submitted their sworn statement of election expenditures to the Provincial Office of the Commission on Elections yesterday.

Records at the Comelec show that Archimedes Reroma who ran for the seat as provincial board member in the first district, 5th district provincial board candidates Eduardito Valdez and Dean Severo Dosado and 5th congressional candidate Gilbert Wagas filed their sworn statements yesterday morning.  According to Republic Act 7166, Section 17, all candidates must submit a statement of expenditures within 30 days after the elections and failure to comply with this law will be subjected to criminal punishment as according to the Omnibus Election Code.

According to a Comelec Resolution, all candidates, regardless of whether they won or lost, have only until June 13 to file their sworn statement of election expenditures.

Under Comelec Resolution 7794, official candidates of political parties are allowed to spend only P3 for every voter registered in the constituency where they filed their certificate of candidacy.

Independent candidates, party-list groups and political parties are allowed to spend P5 for every registered voter.

Based on the report, Wagas spent P340,000 from his campaign while Reroma only spent P12,015.

Dosado and Valdez spent P160,000 and P132,000, respectively. The four candidates cited in their statement that the money they spent came from their personal funds.

Earlier, provincial Comelec officer Lionel Marco Castillano said that all those who filed their certificates of candidacy with their local poll offices are required by law to inform Comelec how much they received in contributions and how much they spent for the campaign.

Castillano also said that winning candidates must also submit otherwise they cannot assume office.

Castillano already notified all election officers in the towns and cities about the deadline for the filing, and for them to remind the candidates in their respective localities.

Candidates who fail to file reports in connection with electoral contributions and expenditures will be liable to pay an administrative fine ranging from P1,000 to P30,000.

For the second or subsequent offense of the resolution, the administrative fine will range from P2,000 to P60,000.  The offender shall also be perpetually disqualified from holding public office.  — Garry B. Lao/BRP