TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
^5 JUL -9 P4 :17
S. No.
SENATE
320
Introduced by Senator MANUEL "LITO" M. LAPID
AN ACT
INCREASING THE AUTHORIZED CAMPAIGN EXPENSES OF CANDIDATES 
AND POLITICAL PARTIES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 13 OF
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7166, ENTITLED, "AN ACT PROVIDING FOR 
SYNCHRONIZED NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS AND FOR OTHER 
ELECTORAL REFORMS, AUTHORIZING APPROPRIATIONS THEREFOR, AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES"
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This proposed legislation aims to address the need for an adjustment in 
allowable campaign expenses to reflect the effects of inflation on the costs associated 
with electoral campaigns, and to empower the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) 
to periodically update these limits in response to changing economic conditions.
Republic Act No. 7166, otherwise known as the "Synchronized National and 
Local Elections and for Electoral Reforms Act of 1991," currently governs the allowable 
campaign expenses for candidates participating in Philippine elections. Under the 
existing law, allowable campaign expenses are set at levels that were appropriate 
when the law was enacted but have since become outdated due to the natural 
progression of inflation.
The primary objective of this bill is to adjust the allowable campaign expenses 
in Republic Act No. 7166 to account for inflation. Over the years, the purchasing power 
of the Philippine peso has diminished, leading to an increase in the cost of various 
campaign-related activities, including advertising, transportation, and campaign


materials. By updating these allowable expenses, we aim to make the campaign 
budget more realistic and reflective of the prevailing prices of goods and services.
Outdated allowable campaign expenses may inadvertently encourage 
candidates and political parties to underreport their actual campaign expenditures. 
This can undermine the transparency and accountability of the electoral process. By 
adjusting the allowable expenses to align with current economic realities, we intend 
to minimize, if not eliminate, the moral hazard to falsify campaign expenditure reports.
In addition to adjusting the allowable campaign expenses in the short term, 
this bill also empowers COMELEC to regularly review and adjust these limits in 
response to inflation. By granting COMELEC the authority to make these adjustments, 
we ensure that campaign expenditure limits remain relevant and effective in promoting 
transparency and fairness in elections.
This bill seeks to address the pressing need for an adjustment in allowable 
campaign expenses to account for inflation and to empower COMELEC to regularly 
update these limits based on economic conditions. This legislation will contribute to 
more transparent and accountable electoral processes, aligning campaign expenses 
with prevailing economic realities, and ultimately strengthening the democratic 
foundations of our nation.
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is sought.
lANUEL "LITO" M. LAPIJ
Senator


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
JIJL -9 P4 :18
S. No.
SENATE
320
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
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AN ACT
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INCREASING THE AUTHORIZED CAMPAIGN EXPENSES OF CANDIDATES
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AND POLITICAL PARTIES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 13 OF
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REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7166, ENTITLED, "AN ACT PROVIDING FOR
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SYNCHRONIZED NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS AND FOR OTHER
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ELECTORAL REFORMS, AUTHORIZING APPROPRIATIONS THEREFOR, AND
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FOR OTHER PURPOSES"
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Section 13 of Republic Act No. 7166 is hereby amended to read as
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follows:
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"SEC. 13. Authorized Expenses of Candidates and Political 
Parties. - The aggregate amount that a candidate or registered 
political party may spend for election campaign shall be as follows:
(a) For candidates - [Ten] FIFTY pesos [(PIO.OO)]
(P50.00) for President and FORTY PESOS (P40.00) FOR Vice- 
President; and [for other candidates. Three pesos (P3.00]] THIRTY 
PESOS (P30.00) FOR SENATOR, DISTRICT 
REPRESENTATIVE, GOVERNOR, VICE-GOVERNOR, BOARD 
MEMBER, MAYOR, VICE-MAYOR, COUNCILOR, AND PARTY- 
LIST REPRESENTATIVE for every voter currently registered in 
the constituency where [he] THE CANDIDATE filed [his] THE


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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] THIRTY pesos [[P5.00)] 
(P30.00) for every voter currently registered in the constituency 
or constituencies where it has official candidates.
"Any provision of the 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] 
DONOR'S tax."
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SEC. 2. A new Section 13-A shall be inserted after Section 13 of Republic Act
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No. 7166 to read as follows:
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SEC. 13-A. AUTHORITY TO ADJUST ALLOWABLE 
EXPENSES. - THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS SHALL, IN 
CONSULTATION WITH THE BANGKO SENTRAL NG 
PILIPINAS, THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC AND 
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, AND THE PHILIPPINE 
STATISTICS AUTHORITY, MAKE THE NECESSARY 
ADJUSTMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF AUTHORIZED 
CAMPAIGN EXPENSES PER REGISTERED VOTER AS 
PROVIDED IN THE PREVIOUS SECTION OF THIS ACT BASED 
ON THE ENSUING NATIONAL INFLATION RATE AND 
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX.
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SEC. 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Commission on Elections
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shall, within ninety (90) days after the effectivity of this Act, promulgate such rules
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and regulations necessary to implement this Act.
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SEC. 4. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this
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Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
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SEC. 5. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held invalid
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or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected shall remain in full force and
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effect.
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SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, issuances, decrees, rules,
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and regulations inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are deemed
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amended, modified, or repealed accordingly.
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SEC. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,