EDITORIAL - Election expenditures

Are they telling the truth? 

This is certainly the question lingering in the minds of Commission on Elections officials as they expressed doubts about the accuracy of the statement of election spending submitted to them by candidates in the May 10 polls. 

As far Comelec spokesman James Jimenez is concerned, many candidates have lied about their election expenses. Jimenez said it was obvious that many candidates did not state their true expenses during the last elections, and are spending more than what is allowed by law.

"Look at this way. Compare what you have seen in your own eyes and what on the paper they have submitted. What I do see is it seems to me that their expenditures are likely to be much higher than reported by some candidates," Jimenez was quoted by The Philippine Star a few days ago.

He explained that the poll body, in coordination with the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Commission on Audit, will be validating all the statements of contributions and expenditures submitted by candidates to them.

According to the law, all national and local candidates are required to submit a report on contributions and expenditures not later than the June 24 deadline.

Those who failed to comply with the requirement would face a fine. A perjury charge may be filed against those who are not correctly stating their expenditures. Winning bets who have not yet submitted their statement would not be able to assume their post.

Comelec's major concern, Jimenez stressed, is how to determine whether the statements submitted by candidates to them "are reasonable or truthful."

Well, basing upon those political advertisements we saw on television, the poll body has reason to doubt as to the true expenditures of candidates, especially those vying for the top two positions in the land. Indeed, reports have it that some presidential candidates have spent billions of pesos that are way above what was required by law during their campaign.

The problem is that no candidate has been jailed for overspending during an election. And it's really a big challenge for the Comelec to go after those who defied the law.