Comelec starts consultations to revise rules

CEBU, Philippines- The Commission on Elections yesterday started the first of the three consultative fora on the proposed omnibus rules on campaign finance for the 2016 national and local elections.

Under the proposed measure, the campaign period shall start on January 10, 2016 to May 7, 2016 for candidates in the national positions, members of the House of Representatives and local government officials.

Currently, national candidates have 90 days to campaign while local bets are given 45 days.

Comelec Commissioner Christian Robert Lim, who presented the proposed rules, said that the present election rule only considers one as a candidate at the start of the campaign period.

“What we are proposing is that at the start of the election period, its campaign period na. Comelec is proposing nga pareho na sila sa election period,” Lim said.

The next election is scheduled for May 9, 2016.

Lim said the proposal may be approved only after two more consultative meetings in Luzon and Mindanao.

“Puwede di modayon ang January 10 campaign period unya puwede ibalik sa 45 days og 90 days ang campaign period,” Lim added.

Under the proposed rules, every person giving a contribution, whether cash or in kind, to any candidate, political party or partylist group or their duly authorized representatives, shall file with the nearest Comelec field office  a report of contributions within 30 days after election. Failure to comply with the provision shall constitute an election offense.

Lim, however, said that the allowable amount of expenses for candidates and parties will remain because it needs an act of Congress to change it.

“Comelec is supportive on the proposed measure which is now pending in Congress, which increases the amount of expenses of a candidate that will be spent for every voter,” Lim said.  (FREEMAN)