Alayon spent less than P10k for proclamation rally

CEBU, Philippines - The homegrown Alayon party headed by Talisay City mayoralty candidate Rep. Eduardo Gullas spent less than P10,000 for its opening proclamation rally and caravan while the local Liberal Party spent less than P15,000 last Sunday. 

Alayon party campaign manager and city administrator Ritchel Bacaltos said the party only spent P8,230 for the opening of their campaign including the caravan and rally in barangay Tangke. 

Before the motorcade, the Alayon group headed by Gullas and his entire slate attended a mass at the St. Therese de Avila Parish in barangay Poblacion. 

Based on its statement of expenses, the Alayon spent P4,000 for a sound system, gasoline for the three vehicles worth P1,500, balloons, and drum corps for P2,730.

“This is only for the opening and rally. We are obliged to report our total expenses within seven days,” Bacaltos said. 

The LP spent P12,500 for its rally in front of the Talisay City Hall. 

Charlene dela Cuesta, the local LP-Secretary in Talisay City, said the P12,500 includes the payment for the drum corps (P6,000); sound system (P4,500); snacks for the tanods (P1,000) and electricity (P1,000). 

The statement, dela Cuesta said, is still to be submitted to the Comelec. 

Section 28 of Comelec Resolution 9615 provides that any party or candidate should submit a statement of expenses to the election officer within seven working days after the public rally.

Meanwhile, Comelec officer Corazon Moran reminded the candidates of the Comelec’s guidelines and policies.

Moran said the first on the list is on the unlawful propaganda materials posted by local candidates before the official start of the campaign period, especially those of the incumbent officials running for re-election.

Considered by the poll body as prohibited forms of propaganda materials are names, images, logos, brands, insignias, initials, and “other forms of identifiable graphical representations placed by incumbent officials on any public structures or places.”

Section 7 of Comelec Resolution 9615 states that “public places” include motor vehicles used as patrol cars, ambulances and other similar purposes owned by local government units, and government agencies that bear red license plates.

The use of government vehicles is strictly prohibited, she added.

Violations of the resolution, which provides the rules and regulations of the Fair Elections Act, is considered an election offense, which carries a penalty of one to six years imprisonment, removal of right to vote, and disqualification from public office.

The campaign period for local candidates will run until May 11.  (FREEMAN)