Lapu-Lapu poll aspirants list expenses

CEBU, Philippines - Independent candidate Isabelito Darnayla, who ran and lost in the May 10 mayoral election in Lapu-Lapu City, spent a total of P450,000, as his Statement of Campaign Expenditures and Contributions submitted to the Commission on Elections would show.

The statement also shows P180,000 went to allowances of poll watchers, P120,000 to campaign materials, and P100,000 to food and drinks for supporters.

Darnayla’s operating expense was way below the limit set by law, which allows local candidates to spend for his campaign an amount that will not exceed P5.00 per registered voter (for independent candidates) and P3.00 for those with party endorsements, in the place where a candidate filed his certificate of candidacy.

He said donations amounting to P180,000, helped finance his campaign.

Councilor Junard Chan, who ran for mayor but also lost, incurred P281,000. He received P110,000 in contributions but dug P171,000 from his own pockets.

Chan spent his own money for most of his campaign posters.

Mayor-elect Paz Radaza and Efrain Pelaez are expected to submit their statements of campaign expenses not later than June 9, the deadline for submission.

Councilor and Vice Mayor-elect Marcial Ycong, has claimed to have spent P100,000 for his campaign, the money coming from his own pockets and contributions from friends.

Ycong, in his report, said P40,000 went to campaign materials, P20,000 to mobilization, P10,000 to transportation, and miscellaneous expenses snatched the rest of the money.

Of the 12-winning councilors, only re-electionist Efren Herrera and councilor-elect Harry Don Radaza have yet to submit their statements of election expenses.

So far, re-electionist Alexander Gestopa is listed as the biggest spender with P178,000, while Cornelio Pahang was the most prudent having spent only P43,800.

Florito Pozon declared P79,919.19 as his total campaign expenses. He is followed by Quennie Amman with P75,000; Melissa Dignos-Vidal, P67,600; councilor-elect Roque Wagwag, P60,000; Eduardo Cuizon, P58,000); Rodolfo Potot, P53,500; Eduardo Patalinghug, P48,300, and Francisco Senerpida, P45,000.

Not one of the councilors-elect has indicated they received donations. So far, losing candidates have yet to submit their campaign expenses to the Comelec.

The entries stated on documents submitted by the candidates, however, are still to be reviewed by the Comelec office to determine the validity, Comelec officer Ferdinand Gujilde said.

Gujilde said the law provides that all candidates, including those who lost in the elections, are required to submit lists of contributions received for the elections and their expenses.

Republic Act 7166 provides that a candidate of registered political parties may spend P3 for every voter in their respective area where he filed his certificate of candidacy and P5 for those candidates without political party affiliation.

Section 14 of Republic Act 7166 provides that every candidate and treasurer of the political party shall, within 30 days after the day of election, file in duplicate with the Comelec the full, true and itemized statement of all contributions and expenses in connection with the election.

Those who fail to comply with the provisions of the election laws shall be fined between P1,000 to P30,000 depending on the discretion of the Comelec en banc. If the same violator commits a similar violation for the second time, the fines will be doubled and he or she will receive the additional punishment of lifetime disqualification from holding public office. (FREEMAN NEWS)