Villar declares biggest campaign expenditures

MANILA, Philippines —Declaring a total expenditure of P179.6 million, neophyte Sen. Camille Villar was the biggest spender among those who ran in the recently concluded May 2025 senatorial race.

Based on the Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) submitted to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Villar also received a total of P159.6 million in campaign contributions.

Winning Sen. Lito Lapid followed Villar, declaring total campaign expenditures of P163.5 million, while ranked third with a total spending of P162 million was Sen. Pia Cayetano, who received over P169 million of contributions.

Losing senatorial candidates Benhur Abalos, Abby Binay and Francis Tolentino, who all ran under the administration slate, reported P160 million, P157 million and P149 million, respectively.

Presidential sister Sen. Imee Marcos spent more than P139 million while receiving P138-million contributions.

Another reelectionist Sen. Ronald dela Rosa reported to have received over P160 million and spent P128.7 million, while Sen. Bong Go shelled out a total of P127.3 million and received P125.9 million in contributions.

Other candidates who spent more than P100 million for the campaign are losing senatorial candidate Bong Revilla, and Senators Francis Pangilinan, Rodante Marcoleta and Erwin Tulfo.

Winning Sen. Tito Sotto spent P96.6 million while Sen. Bam Aquino reported a total of P86.1 million election expenses, and Sen. Panfilo Lacson P18.9 million out of P118-million contributions.

All SOCE submitted by national and local candidates, party-list groups, and political parties that participated in the recent elections are now posted on the Comelec website.

The Comelec encouraged the public to scrutinize the SOCE and report those candidates, party-list groups and political parties that have violated campaign spending regulations.

Those who failed to submit the SOCE, Comelec said, face an election offense case and possible perpetual disqualification from holding public office.