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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS.) ¢ anp INDEX SERVICE
First Regular Session * sermesermersermsmmyrnrmenne

HOUSE BILLNO. «15

Introduced by REP, FELICIANO R. BELMONTE, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Batas Pambansa Blg. 881, otherwise known as the Omnibus Election Code of
the Philippines, mandated that candidates could spend an aggregate amount not
exceeding, one peso and fifty centavos for every voter currently registered in the
constituency where he filed his candidacy. Similarly, political parties could spend an
aggregate amount not exceeding the equivalent of one peso and fifty centavos for
every voter currently registered in the constituency or constituencies where it has
official candidates.

Republic Act 7166, enacted in 1991, amended the provisions of the Omnibus
‘lection Code and increased the allowed expenditures for candidates and political
parties. Candidates are allowed to spend Three Pesos (P3.00) for every voter
currently registered in the constituency where he filed his certificate of candidacy,
and candidates without any political party and without support from any political
party are allowed to spend Five Pesos (P5.00) for every such voter. Candidates for
President and Vice President, on the other hand, are allowed a larger sum of ‘Ten
pesos (P10.00). Meanwhile, political parties are allowed Five pesos (P5.00) for every
voter currently registered in the constituency or constituencies where it has official
candidates.

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
also hinder candidates from launching campaigns that could reach even the most
remote of places in the country, for fear of running afoul of the law. This bill seeks to
amend the law to increase the allowed campaign expenditures of candidates and
political parties to realistic amounts, in order to accurately reflect the current cost of
goods and services and promote greater voter reach and education.



With these amendments in place, the law will 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. The amendments will likewise allow candidates to
maximize their resources to effectively communicate their platforms and ideas to a
greater number of their constituents, which could translate into a voting, public that
is more active, intelligent, and aware.

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

Gees Be. <>

FELICIANO R. BELMONTE, JR.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO,

Introduced by REP. FELICIANO R. BELMONTE, JR.

AN ACT
INCREASING THE AUTHORIZED EXPENSES OF CANDIDDATES AND
POLITICAL PARTIES DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7166, AS AMENDED

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

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

“Sec. 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 all candidates, - FIFTY PESOS (P50.00) [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. - THIRTY (P30.00) [Five Pesos (P5.00)]
for every voter currently registered in the constituency or
constituencies where it has official candidates.

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.

THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS SHALL ADJUST THE
AUTHORIZED AMOUNT BASED ON THE CONSUMER PRICE
INDEX (CPI) EVERY FIVE (5) YEARS FOLLOWING THE
EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT.”

SEC. 2. Repealing Clause. - All laws decrees, executive orders, issuances,
regulations which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are deemed
repealed, amended or modified.

SEC. 3. Separability Clause. - If for any reason or reasons, any part or
provision of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or
provisions hereof which are not affected thereby, shall continue to be in full force
and effect.

SEC. 4. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date
of its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation,

Approved,