MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) clarified that it cannot stop political aspirants and their supporters from coming out with television advertisements as they could only monitor spending during the campaign period.
"For the record, there is no law right now that regulates spending because we know that the meters start running only at the beginning of campaign period," Comelec Chair Juan Andres Bautista said in a press conference on Tuesday.
Bautista cited the law which states that "long campaign expenditures only kicks in at the start of campaign period."
"Sinabi ko na ito, merong puwang sa batas. Merong butas ang batas," Bautista said.
The Comelec chief said that the decision is up to the voting public if they would support political aspirants who spend on TV ads.
The campaign period for national positions will start on February 9 while campaign for local positions will begin on March 25.
Media research firm Nielsen Philippines earlier reported that the top four presidential candidates spent an estimated P1.6 billion on TV ads last year.
Vice President Jejomar Binay reportedly spent the most for TV ads with P595.7 million, followed by Sen. Grace Poe with P448.2 million.
Liberal Party standard bearer Manuel "Mar" Roxas II reportedly spent P424.9 million while Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte shelled out an estimated P115.4 million.
Binay, however, denied that he is the top spender for TV ads among the presidential candidates and claimed that Roxas is the leading spender.
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