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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIV!

Quezon City |
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS |
First Regular Session | r

STON UNIT.

House Bill No_519 XSLe

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Introduced by Honorable Fredenil H. Castro

AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7166, ENTITLED “SYNCHRONIZED NATIONAL
AND LOCAL ELECTIONS AND FOR ELECTORAL REFORMS” AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

For many years now, our election laws have not been responsive to the dynamics of
the changing times. One such statute in particular is Republic Act No. 7166 which provides
for the authorized expenses of candidates and political parties during election campaign
periods based on a per registered voter bi

Section 13, paragraph (a) mandates that a candidate for the presidency and vice-
presidency may only spend ten pesos (Php10.00) per registered voter. And for any other
positions, the total of three pesos (Php3.00) per registered voter is allowable unless the
candidate does not come from any political party and therefore without support from a
particular machinery, in which case, the candidate may spend five pesos (Php5.00) per
registered voter.

This is unrealistic and insufficient to say the least based on the many national and
local elections in the past. The actual financial expenditures of any candidate mounting an
election campaign are a violation of the present limitations. The law compels filing a report
that is a distortion if not a suppression of the actual figures.

As such, Section 13, paragraph (a) of Republic Act 7166 is hereby proposed to be
amended to be in keeping with the current Consumer Price Index (CPI) so as to encourage
candidates to declare their actual campaign expenses in the interest of transparency. ( ay,

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

EBENIL H. CAS

NTATIVES.



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES }
First Regular Session }

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

HOUSE BILL NO. 519

Introduced by the HONORABLE FREDENIL H. CASTRO

AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7166, ENTITLED “SYNCHRONIZED NATIONAL AND
LOCAL ELECTIONS AND FOR ELECTORAL REFORMS” AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it eneacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 13 paragraph (a) of Republic Act 7166 is hereby amended to read as
follows:

SEC. 13. Authorized Expenses of Candidates and Political Parties. The [aggregate]
amount [that] a candidate or registered political party may spend [for] DURING THE.
election campaign shall be as follows:

(a) For candidates... FIFTY PESOS (P50.00) [Ten pesos (P10.00)] for President;
THIRTY FIVE PESOS (P35.00) [and] for Vice-President [;] AND SENATORIAL
CANDIDATES FOR EVERY REGISTERED VOTER; AND FOR CONGRESSMAN AND
OTHER LOCAL CANDIDATES FOR PROVINCES, CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES OTHER
CANDIDATES, THIRTY PESOS (P30.00) [three pesos (p3.00)] for every voter currently
registered in the constituency where he filed his certificate of candidacy; Provided, That a
candidate without any political party and without support from any political party’ may be
allowed to spend THIRTY-FIVE PESOS (P35.00) {(P5.00)] for every such voter; and

SEC. 2. Separability Clause. - If any provisions or part of this Act is declared
unconstitutional such declaration of unconstitutionality will not affect the other provisions
of this Act.

SEC. 3. Amending and Repealing Clause. Batas Pambansa Blg. 881 specifically
Section 100 and 101 thereof and all other laws, orders, decrees, rules and regulations or
other issuances, or any part thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
amended or repealed accordingly.

SEC. 4. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date of
publication in full in at least two (2) national papers of general circulation.

Approved,