Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City ~

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. HE

Introduced by Representative PABLO JOHN F. GARCIA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The mandated campaign expenses have to be updated to reflect inflation and the
eroded purchasing power of the Philippine peso. For almost three decades, the
allowable expenditures by candidates and political parties have not changed since the
enactment of Republic Act No. (RA) 7166 in 1991

RA 7166 increased the campaign expenses a candidate in an election is to spend from
the one peso and fifty centavo every voter provided by Batas Pambansa Big. 881
(Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines) to Three pesos (P3.00). Similarly, campaign
expenses of candidates without any political party/without support from any political
party and political parties are allowed to spend Five Pesos (P5.00) per voter.
Candidates for President and Vice President, on the other hand, are allowed a larger
‘sum of Ten pesos (P10.00).

Twenty five years later, these figures have yet to be updated to reflect inflation and the
eroded purchasing power of the Philippine Peso. The limitations hinder candidates from
launching campaigns that could reach even the most remote of places in the country,
for fear of running afoul with the law.

This bill seeks to amend RA 7166 in order to increase the allowable campaign
expenditures of candidates and political parties to realistic amounts that reflect the
current cost of goods and services during the election year. It aims to accurately reflect
the current economic landscape and allow candidates to pay the full and fair price of the
goods and services they wish to engage. It will likewise allow candidates to make the
most of their resources to effectively communicate their platforms and ideas to majority
of their constituents.

In vit foregoing, approval hereof is earnestly sought.

PABNONJOHN F. GARCIA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2275
House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative PABLO JOHN F. GARCIA

AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED 7166 TO MAKE ELECTION EXPENSE
LIMITATIONS MORE REASONABLE BY PERIODICALLY ADJUSTING THEM FOR
INFLATION

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Congress
assembled:

Section 1. Section 13 of Republic Act No. 7166 is hereby amended to read as
follows:

“Section 13. Authorized Expenses of Candidates and Political Parties. [The
agreement amount that a candidate or registered political party may spend for
election campaign shall be as follows:

(a) For candidates. - Ten pesos (P10.00) for President and Vice-President; and
for other candidates 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 Five Pesos (P5.00) for every such voter; and

(b) For political parties. - Five pesos (P5.00) for every voter currently registered
in the constituency or constituencies where it has official candidates. ]

THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE ELECTION EXPENSES OF ANY CANDIDATE
OR POLITICAL PARTY, OR MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF
ANY CONTRIBUTOR, SHALL BE PERIODICALLY ADJUSTED FOR
INFLATION BASED ON THE PRICES DURING THE YEAR FOLLOWING THE
EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT.


Any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding any contribution in cash or in
kind to any candidate or political party or coalition of parties for campaign
purposes, duly reported to the Commission shall not be subject to the payment of
any gift tax.”

Sec. 2. The Commission on Elections shall, in coordination with the National
Economic and Development Authority, issue the rules and regulations necessary to
implement this Act, and shall promulgate the maximum election expenses for every
election not less than three (3) months from the start of the campaign period.

Sec. 3. Any law, rule or regulation inconsistent with this Act is hereby modified
or repealed accordingly.

Sec. 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the completion of its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,