Receipts eyed for campaign donations

MANILA, Philippines - Candidates in the May elections may soon be required to issue a “written acceptance” of donations and contributions for their campaign.

Under draft implementing rules and regulations, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) intends to make candidates issue what is tantamount to a receipt for campaign donations.

“Election propaganda materials donated or contributed by any person to a candidate or party shall not be printed, published or broadcast, or exhibited, unless it is accompanied by the written acceptance by said candidate or party, through the party treasurer,” read the draft.

Candidates would be prohibited from delegating the responsibility of issuing written acceptance to an authorized representative designated to receive the donations or contributions, the Comelec said.

“Such written acceptance of the donated election propaganda materials must be personal to the candidate or party treasurer,” read the draft.

The Comelec has previously admitted having difficulty holding candidates accountable for using oversized campaign materials and other similar violations because they claimed to have no personal knowledge of such action.

In the connection with the coming elections, the Comelec plans to allow more time for the candidates to broadcast election propaganda.

Candidates and registered political parties for a national elective position shall be given not more than a total of 120 minutes of television advertising, on a per station basis, whether appearing on national, regional, or local, free or cable television, and 180 minutes of radio advertising, on a per station basis, whether airing on national, regional, or local radio, the Comelec said.

Candidates and registered political parties for a local elective position would be given not more than a total of 60 minutes of television advertising, on a per station basis, whether appearing on national, regional, or local, free or cable television, and 90 minutes of radio advertising, on a per station basis, whether airing on national, regional, or local radio.

The Comelec is set to hold today a public consultation on the draft regulations.